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Free Meals for All Students Ended: Updated Meal Prices

applying for free and reduced meal application provides many benefits with approval

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applying for free and reduced meal application provides many benefits with approval

Free Meals for All Students Ended.

When the 2021-2022 school year ended, so did free meals for every student. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government funded a program that allowed ALL students access to complimentary breakfast and lunch. Congress recently declined to continue this program now that we are post-pandemic. This means that ALL families will need to carry a positive balance in their student’s school meal accounts when school begins in August. Keep a positive balance of $15.00 or more to avoid getting notices each Thursday through ParentSquare. 

The good news is that you may still qualify for your student to have access to free or reduced meals. The only way to find out is to fill out the free application (Attachment E on DESE's website). If you need assistance filling out the 2024-2025 application, our staff will be happy to help. A Free and Reduced Meal Application MUST be completed ANNUALLY for your student to receive meal benefits. 

If you do not qualify for free or reduced meals, you may begin depositing money into your student accounts at any time to help you prepare for the cost of school lunches again. Meal prices have been set for the 2024-2024 school year.

They are as follows:

Breakfast will be $2.00 for students and staff and served in the high school commons for middle and high school students and in the elementary for elementary students.

(Breakfast is no longer provided for free in the classrooms.)

Lunch prices will be $2.95 for students and $3.25 for adults.  

A la carte pricing:

Extra Entree: $1.25

Extra Side Dish: $.75

Extra Hot Roll or Cookie: $.35

Extra Milk: $.55

Sack Lunch for Trips: $3.25

You may also deposit money online using the Parent Portal. (Campus Parent)

Breakfast will be served from 7:45 am -8:10 am. 

If your student has a negative account balance, make payments or set up a payment plan and begin depositing money for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Completing the application is the only way to be considered for free or reduced meals. Please take action quickly and fill out your application. The more people who fill out the application and are approved, the more resources for our school. Do your part. Apply today! 

For assistance, please contact our Food Service Department at 660-947-3361 ext 307. 

2024-2025 Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals- Fill out, print off, and submit to Putnam County R-I Schools, 803 S 20th Street, Unionville, MO 63565, or stop by and pick up a paper copy from our offices. 

For more information, Application Instructions, FAQs Regarding Free & Reduced Applications, visit the DESE link.