CLAY COUNTY – In preparation for the 2022-2023 schoolyear, the Clay County School District’s Food and Nutrition Services department is urging parents to apply for free and reduced lunch again, as …
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CLAY COUNTY – In preparation for the 2022-2023 schoolyear, the Clay County School District’s Food and Nutrition Services department is urging parents to apply for free and reduced lunch again, as the two-year federal COVID-19 waiver for free school meals has ended.
Across more than 40 schools, the district serves 8,000-9,000 breakfasts a day and about 25,000 lunches a day on average.
Director of Food and Nutrition Services Susie Glover said a new free and reduced lunch application is required every school year. Reduced lunch is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch.
Glover said it’s important to complete an application so children still receive benefits. Normally, if an application is on file from a previous year, students would get a 30-day exemption, but the COVID-19 waiver the past two years gave students free food, regardless of their situations.
“The waivers allowed us to feed anyone for free,” Glover said.
Glover said the department was proud to keep lunch, $2.25 for elementary students and $2.50 for secondary students, and à la carte items the same price as the previous school year. Breakfast will stay at $1.50.
Glover said the community is experiencing inflation and rising costs of items like gas. The relationship between hunger and poor test scores, students repeating a grade and disciplinary issues are well-documented, according to nonprofit No Kid Hungry.
“The free and reduced meals are very important and go to students who otherwise would not have it,” Glover said.
The district has 13 schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, where students can receive free lunch without an application. The schools are listed on the Food and Nutrition Services department’s Facebook page which is @oneclayfoodservices.
There are also six schools participating in the Universal Free Breakfast program, which requires an application including Wilkinson Junior High, Keystone Heights Junior-Senior High, Orange Park High and Coppergate, Doctors Inlet and Lakeside elementary schools.
In addition, the department is continuing its food development, food truck service and to conduct student focus groups to improve as a whole. Some summer meals program site concluded recently, though a few sites will remain open until July 28 and Friday, July 29.
“Their feedback is very important to us,” Glover said.
Staffing is a critical topic across education. Food and Nutrition Services has more than 25 cafeteria positions to fill.
“Absolutely, we are looking to hire,” Glover said. “It’s a point of concern, but we always manage to get the job done.”
Challenges aside, Glover said, the department is eager to start the 2022-2033 schoolyear.
“We’re ready to go. We’re excited about the new year, communication is going to be key,” Glover said. “We want to make sure we’re reaching out to parents and the community.”
School begins Aug. 10. More information is available at oneclay.net/foodandnutrition.