Meal Assistance Information
New for 2023-2024 school year is the Direct Certification process for Free or Reduced -price meals using Medicaid information. The Ohio State Department of Education (ODE) has been approved to participate in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Demonstration Project to Evaluate Direct Certification with Medicaid. Each student identified on a letter that may have been mailed to your home or will be mailed, is automatically approved for the meal status listed on the letter.
If your children are eligible for reduced-price benefits, your total household income and household size may make your children eligible for free benefits. Therefore, you may wish to submit a meal application.
The Biennial budget has allowed students that qualify for Reduced meals to receive them at no cost to the family. Each district will be reimbursed by the State the .70 cent cost that your child / children would normally pay. Instructional fees must still be paid if approved for Reduced meals.
If you receive a Direct Certification letter, please sign, and return the letter for instructional fees to be waived for Free students only. Your child's meal status is listed in the Primary Beneficiary section on the letter.
Any questions; Contact Judy Baumann, Food Service Director 440-965-4255 ext 3097
Reduced Meals Now Free
Students that qualify for reduced meals will now be free for this year and possibly next. The state of Ohio biennial budget includes funding t cover the cost of meals for students qualifying for reduced price meals. The .30 cost for breakfast and .40 cost for lunch will be covered by the State of Ohio. This starts on the first day of the 23-24 school year and includes those students that qualified last year for reduced price meals.
Updated Meal Application Needed
An updated meal application must be submitted every year. The online portal is now open to accept new applications. Paper applications are also available in the offices. If your child/children are approved, the meal status goes into effect immediately. Please reach out to Mrs. Baumann if you have any questions 440-965-5821 ext 3097. Meal applications are monitored and looked over for accuracy. A verification process takes place mid October for any questionable applications.
REIMBURSEMENTS FOR SENIOR ACCOUNTS
Complete the following account reimbursement survey at the end of the year if you have a senior that is graduating. If a balance refund is not requested, the money will be moved to a sibling's account. If no sibling, it will be transferred to our donation account to help others in need.
SUMMER MEALS
All children ages 1 through 18 are eligible to receive free meals during the summer months at participating program sites. Individuals ages 19 through 21 who have been identified as having mental or physical disabilities and are following Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) through their current enrollment in educational programs also are eligible for free summer meals.
For more information call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (486479).
Click on this link to find a phone number for locations where meals are served during the summer months.
Click on this link for a Summer Food Service Clickable Map and Summer food Service Program Locations
REIMBURSABLE MEALS
A reimbursable meal is offered daily. We encourage students to take all 5 components that are offered to give your child a balanced meal as well as save you money. A 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetable is required to be on a tray to count as a type A reimbursable meal. If your child chooses not to take the required fruit or vegetable, they will be charged a la carte prices.
Firelands Food Service
Our Food Service department is self-supporting. For every breakfast and lunch distributed, the Food Service department will receive federal reimbursements, which supports the department.
For online menus visit www.myschoolmenus.com. Menus can be filtered for allergens and/or nutritionals. They can also be printed. Download the free My School Menu app and the Firelands Local Schools free app.
FES students will eat in their classrooms due to increased enrollment . All FES students will walk to the kitchen to get lunch, then take their meals to their classroom. Breakfast is also picked up in the gym and taken back to their homeroom. FMS and FHS students will eat in the cafeteria.
If you have any questions please contact Judy Baumann, Food Service Director at 440-965-5821 ext. 3097 or [email protected]