Food Services

Simply put, this means that all students enrolled in any elementary school or Wakulla Institute as part of the Wakulla County School District can receive a reimbursable meal at breakfast and lunch at no cost to the student or family.

Please note that this is not a “free lunch” or “free food” program. These meals are being paid for by the USDA on behalf of the students and their families. The CEP program explicitly states that only a complete meal, as defined by the USDA as a reimbursable meal, is provided to each student at breakfast and lunch. Any purchases that do not constitute a reimbursable meal are charged (and paid) at A La Carte prices by the student or family. Along the same lines, this program applies to actively enrolled students only and therefore no adults or non-enrolled students qualify for the no-cost meals.

Not for enrollees at the aforementioned schools, but you may if your child attends one of the other sites. Because the District operates a CEP program, Food and Nutrition Services will no longer be accepting any Free and Reduced Meal applications for the elementary schools and WI. All students at these sites will be fed a reimbursable meal for breakfast and lunch at no cost.

The simple answer is yes, although it is not required.

The reimbursable meal for breakfast and lunch are being provided at no cost. However, any other items in addition to that meal, or if the student refuses to take all the required components to make a complete meal, will be charged at A La Carte prices to the student’s account.

A reimbursable meal is a meal that is offered to students that meet certain nutritional and portion size requirements as set forth by the USDA. What qualifies as a reimbursable meal is mandated by the USDA and every school participating in the National School Lunch and/or Breakfast Program must offer certain components to students every day.  In addition to the nutritional requirements, the information below is the minimum daily component offering requirements set by USDA based on meal and grade. Students do NOT have to take every component offered.

Breakfast¹ (Pre-K–12th Grade)

• Fruit - 1 cup (including 1/2 cup juice)
• Grains - 1 oz
• Milk - 1 cup

Lunch²

Pre-K–8th Grade

• Fruit - 1/2 cup
• Vegetables - 3/4 cup
• Grains - 1 oz
• Meat/Meat Alternate - 1 oz
• Milk - 1 cup

9th–12th Grade

• Fruit - 1 cup
• Vegetables - 1 cup
• Grains - 2 oz
• Meat/Meat Alternate - 2 oz
• Milk - 1 cup

1: For breakfast, each plate must have at least 3 items and 1 item must be a fruit.  Four items must be offered to students each breakfast.

2: For lunch, each plate must have at least three components and one component must be a fruit or vegetable to be counted as reimbursable.  If the plate does not contain these items, the student will be charged ala carte pricing.

Students:

Access to free nutritious meals for all students with no stigma, and less time spent in cashier lines and more time to eat nutritious meals.

Parents:

All enrolled students will be served a breakfast and lunch meal at no cost without having to complete a Free or Reduced household application. No household applications mean less paperwork and no worries about meal accounts.

School staff:

Streamlined meal service operation and more time for students to consume their food.

Administrators:

Reduced paperwork and administrative costs, no need to track unpaid meal charges, improved program integrity, and more nourished students ready to learn and grow.

Where can I get more information?

• The USDA website’s CEP Section
• The USDA website’s CEP Resource Center
• The USDA CEP Quick Fact Sheet (PDF File)