Ottumwa is submitting an application to be part of the federal Community Eligibility Provision. This provision allows individual schools or districts to offer free breakfast and lunch to students while streamlining paperwork in the food service department.
At last Monday's board meeting, Food Service Director, Yvonne Johnson, shared benefits of the program. The program was piloted two years ago by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has expanded this program to all states beginning July 2014. Eligibility is based on the number of students eligible for free meals using a non-income method.
A benefit to the program is the increased meal participation. Pilot programs have shown an increase of 10% participation.
Based on the program criteria, Ottumwa will apply for Douma, James and Wilson to be considered.