The Nutrition Department would like to share some updates as we prepare for the start of the new school year.
The Ohio Department of Education announced the State of Ohio FY24-FY25 biennial budget which includes funding to cover the cost of providing no-cost breakfast and no-cost lunch to students qualifying for reduced-price meals. Starting in school year 2023-2024, the budget language requires public and chartered nonpublic schools that participate in the National School Breakfast or Lunch Program to provide a breakfast or lunch at no cost to each student eligible for a reduced-price breakfast or lunch.
What does this mean for you?
- For the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, students that qualify for reduced-price meals will receive their meals at no cost. They will not be required to pay the .30 for breakfast or the .40 for lunch. For the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, students that qualify for reduced-price meals will receive their meals at no cost. They will not be required to pay the .30 for breakfast or the .40 for lunch. For the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, students that qualify for reduced-price meals will receive their meals at no cost. They will not be required to pay the .30 for breakfast or the .40 for lunch. For the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, students that qualify for reduced-price meals will receive their meals at no cost. They will not be required to pay the .30 cents for breakfast or the .40 cents for lunch.
- If your student was eligible for reduced-price meals last school year, that status carries over the first 30 days of the new school year. Those students will receive their meals at no cost beginning the first day of school. In order to continue this benefit, families will need to fill out a new free or reduced-price meal application before October 2, 2023. If you have questions or would like to know your student's status, please contact the Nutrition Services Department.
A percentage of families in the district are eligible for free meals through the direct certification process. In the past this process has matched students through Job and Family Services via a SNAP number. This year, the process has added Medicaid as a qualifier. This is only through direct certification and families will be notified via mail if they qualify. We are still only allowed to accept SNAP numbers on applications. Please do not put your Medicaid number on your paper or online application, we will not be able to process it. This is ONLY available through the direct certification process.
Benefits for free or reduced-price meals carry over for the first 30 days of the new school year. Please fill out a new application for this school year as soon as possible to avoid any interruption to your student’s benefits. If a new application is not filled out by October 2, 2023, your student will default to full pay status. Applications can be filled out through your parent portal in Infinite Campus or you can request a paper copy from your building secretary or the Nutrition Department.
Below is the meal pricing for next school year. We accept online payments through your parent portal, and checks or cash at the register. We do not recommend sending cash with younger students as it can get misplaced or not make its way to the cafeteria. We are not responsible for lost or stolen money that does not get applied to a student’s account.
Pricing for the 2023-2024 SY | Breakfast | Lunch |
K-5 | $2.00 | $3.50 |
6-12 | $2.50 | $4.00 |
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to our office.
Michelle Gifford, SNS
Director of Nutrition Services
Riverside Local Schools
440.358.8212