The Baldwin County public school system has extended free meals for traditional students through the end of the school year, Superintendent of Education Eddie Tyler said Thursday.
The free meal program was extended through Dec. 31 earlier this year. The free lunch program is only available to students attending classes in county schools and not taking part in the Virtual School online program.
The United States Department of Agriculture pays for the free-lunch program with no additional expense to the school system or families, Tyler said in a statement released Thursday. Any child attending one of the system’s traditional schools, Pre-K through 12th grade, will have the option to eat a meal during the cafeteria's breakfast or lunch service at no charge. The federal program rules require that they must get a full meal to have the fee waived. Buying single or extra items, such as a container of milk, a roll or piece of fruit, would require a charge.
What is free: One reimbursable breakfast and one reimbursable lunch per day per student are free. Single or extra items or additional meals must be paid at the regular price. All adult meals are regular price. (Example: if a student only wants a milk, the student must pay for the milk. Only the entire meal is free).
Scanning Cards: Students will still scan their cards as normal. If students do not have their card, the cashier can enter them, or students can use the keypad. Nothing will change for the students at the register except for they will not be charged.
Charges: Students still owe money for any meals charged this school year before this program started. CNP cannot remove that from their accounts.
Menus: Menus could change slightly.
