School Lunch Increase for 08-09
Clay County Education
By Debbie Walker SENTINEL WRITER

Another school year is here and with it comes the cost of supplies, sports, band, and other expenses. The economy for some families has made it difficult to pay for all the added costs for their children to attend school.

Clay County Schools, in the effort to help families provide a balanced nutrition breakfast and lunch for their students has maintained the lowest meal prices of our region for a number of years. The increased cost of food regretfully makes it necessary to increase the meal prices this year.

The increase is an average of .50 cents for the Elementary Lunch and the Middle School and High School lunches. The breakfast last year for the Elementary was .75 cents, the Middle School and High School was .85 cents. This year all breakfasts are $1.00. This may not seem like much of an increase but if you have two or more children in school it could add up. Alternatives are packing lunches and snacks from home or eating breakfast at home in the morning before going to school.

But Clay County School is here to help families with the Free or Reduced Price Meal Program. Every student was given an application at the beginning of the school year to bring home to their parents. Based on your household income and size you may quality for Free or Reduced Lunch and Breakfast. If you need an application, please contact the Child Nutrition office at 389-6332.

The payment category of every student is strictly held in the strictest confidence. By law, no child is identified or treated differently if they receive free or reduced priced meals.

For the 2008-2009 school year, student meal prices are:

Reduced price meals..... $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch

Full price breakfast......... $1.00 for all grades

Full Lunch price.............. $2.00 for PK-4th grade/ $2.25 for 5th- 12th grade.

Adults............................. No established meal price, may purchase any items.

Here are some frequently and answers that may help you when filing you application for free or reduced meals.

Who can get reduced-priced meals?

Children from families whose total income is within the reduced price limits on the FEderal Income Eligibility Guidelines Chart can get school meals at a reduced price of 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.

If you participate in the WIC Program, can your children get free meals?

Your children may be eligible for free or reduced meals, but you must fill out a form.

What if your income is not always the same?

You must list the amount that you normally get paid. If you normally get overtime, include it.

Do you need to fill out an application for each of your children?

No. you only need one application for each household.

Do you need to fill out an application if your children are receiving food stamps?

No, If your household receives assistance from the Food Stamps Program or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program (TANF), your children will be notified of their eligibility and they will be provided free meals benefits unless you notify the school that you choose to decline benefits.

There are countless questions and if you need more information contact the Child Nutrition Director at 828- 389-6332.

Superintendent, Scott Penland states that "Research indicates that eating habits affect student performance and health. Children who are hungry have a difficult time learning and do not perform as well in the classroom as students who are well nourished. The Child Nutrition Program offers your children an affordable, high quality, nutritious, appealing breakfast and lunch." No child should go hungry in our country, and they are here to help.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Land transfer tax-- let the voters decide	1