The new school year includes a new offer from the Burlington Community School District: all kids eat free, regardless of their family’s income.
“This removes the stigma (of getting a free or reduced-price lunch). Plus, there are people who maybe were in that gray area that didn’t qualify,” said Brian Johnson, Director of Food Services for the district.
“This helps all kids out. Kids don’t have to worry about parents making sure they put money on their account. I think it’s a win-win all the way around for all the kids.”
The program is possible through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which is for schools and districts in low-income areas.
Johnson said the USDA will reimburse the district for qualifying meals – those that include healthy choices.
“There’s a lot of guidelines and hurdles that we have to have a balance between meeting the guidelines but also meeting stuff that the students will eat,” he said.
Johnson said to get a free meal, a student must take at least three items from among a grain, a protein, a fruit, a vegetable, and milk. At least one of the choices has to be a fruit or vegetable.
He said students can still bring their own lunches if they choose.
Johnson hopes the district can continue offering the program in future years.
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