New eligibility guidelines announced for free/reduced school lunches

  • Published
  • ARLINGTON, Va.
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFPS) --  The Department of Defense Education Activity is encouraging families of children attending its overseas schools to reapply for free and reduced price school lunches.

Earlier this year, DoDEA requested an increase in the reimbursement rate the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides for school lunches. The USDA approved the request and also authorized the use of the Alaska Income Eligibility Guidelines in qualifying families to participate in the program. As a result, more families may qualify under the new guidelines.

This change applies to families of children attending DoDEA schools in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Azores, Turkey, Korea, and Japan to include Okinawa. It does not include families of children attending DoDEA schools in Puerto Rico or Guam who fall under their State Department of Education programs.

"We encourage parents to review their status and contact the appropriate individuals during and after the registration process," said Chip Steitz, DoDDS-Pacific Public Affairs officer. "This represents a very positive change and we hope more parents participate in this program."

The school lunch program is designed to meet federal requirements for nutritionally balanced meals and to offer free or reduced price lunch and breakfast (where available) to eligible children.

Families can apply for eligibility to participate in the free and reduced price school lunch program by completing an application available at their installation. Installation commanders operate and maintain the program by providing instructions on how to apply for the program; determining eligibility of applicants and maintaining and updating a list of students enrolled in the program.

For more information about the school lunch program, call the Kadena student transportation office at 632-9034 or Camp Foster student transportation office at 645-7820.