If you have gotten used to grabbing a bite to eat for free in the cafeteria, sadly next year you will have to pay. In March 2022, the US congress stopped funding the “Pandemic Child Nutrition Waivers” in their federal spending bill for domestic initiatives through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. These waivers have allowed school nutrition programs to keep feeding students throughout the school closures, virtual learning, and social distancing for free. 

These waivers will expire on June 30th, 2022. This means that in the 2022-2023 school year, MCCSC will return to the federal guidelines for the child nutrition program and free lunches will not be available without guardians applying for reduced priced meals. 

Guardians wishing to apply for free or reduced priced meals will need to fill out the application either here on the food service website or via a paper application from your child’s school. The applications will be available mid-July.