The USDA has extended flexibilities that will allow Olympia Food Service to offer free breakfast and lunch meals to all children into the fall months. This will help ensure all children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. This announcement brings a huge relief to our school meal program and the communities we serve. As a family, nothing is required from you for your students to enjoy the free meals. These meals are available to both in-person learning and remote learning students. The length of this program is dependent on funds available. When a return to the traditional lunch program is required, a notification will be sent out.
Since the USDA passed this ruling on August 31st, all meal purchases made on September 1st and September 2nd will be credited back to those family's accounts. Again, there is nothing that families have to do to opt-in to the free meals. All breakfast and lunches served to students are free until further notice. The USDA will be reimbursing the schools for the costs of the meals. Once we transition back to paid meal service, notice will be given to families. A la carte items will still be available for purchase at the MS/HS café. The free meals do not extend to a la carte service and students will need money in their accounts if they wish to purchase additional items to add on to their lunches.