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DAVID JEWELL
FOOD SERVICES
Meal Pricing & Free and Reduced Meal and Fee Waiver Program Information Provided to Families July 2022
Please remember that it is important for ALL families to complete the application as it can affect your child’s lunch cost, school fees, and their building’s funding based on the number of families that qualify. Those who qualify for free meals also qualify for a waiver for school fees for the school year in which they qualify.
The United States Department of Agriculture did not extend the food service program waivers for 2022-2023 that were implemented as part of the nation’s COVID-19 response. These waivers made it possible for all students to enjoy a free breakfast and lunch for the past school year. However, that assistance will not be available this school year.
With the end of this program, school districts including Edgewood are reverting back to the Free & Reduced School Meals program.
This program was in place prior to the pandemic.
In order for students to receive free or reduced-priced meals during the 2022-2023 school year, qualifying families need to complete the online application.
Applications are currently being accepted and can be submitted @ www.lunchapplication.com
We encourage ALL families to complete an application online OR a paper application made available through our district website or provided to students at their respective school building.
Even though you may have not qualified in the past, new income guidelines are now in place.
Approval of the “Reduced Price” status allows for Lunch to be received for $0.40 and Breakfast for $0.30 regardless of grade level or building. There is no reduction in school fees should you qualify for reduced-priced meals.
Meal Prices 2022-2023
Breakfast $1.50 All buildings
Lunch – Edgewood Primary, Edgewood Intermediate, Edgewood Early Childhood Center $3.00
Lunch - Edgewood Middle & High School $3.25
We are all experiencing increases in our daily expenses so hopefully, this can provide our families some assistance with school meals and student fees.
If you have any questions, please contact David Jewell at david.jewell@edgewoodschools.net.
Thank you and we look forward to serving your students this year.
EZpay
Parents/guardians may use EZpay to pay for school meals and school fees. Click on the EZpay link on the left side of the screen and follow the directions.
Additional Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program
Free and reduced-price lunch and breakfast is available to students who qualify and meet the eligibility guidelines. Students who qualified last school year are automatically qualified for the first 30 days of the school year. However, a new application must be completed each year, within 30 days from the start of the school year, for child to continue on the program.
Applications are accepted anytime during the school year. Parents who have any change in employment, income, or additional family members may reapply for beneifts anytime during the year.
No child is discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age or handicap. Free and Reduced Price Meals Benefits Program is available to all children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Ohio Works First (OWF); foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court; children participating in their school's Head Start program; and children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant that are eligible for free meals. Also, your children may receive free or reduced-priced meals if your household's income is within the limits on the federal income eligibility guidelines (see chart below).
You can apply online for your child(ren) to receive free or reduced-price school meals. The online application for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefit program has been designed to make it easy for you to know exactly what information you need to provide and to guide you through the process. The site is an easy, secure and convenient way to apply for free or reduced meals. Once your application has been received, the Edgewood Food Service Office will determine your eligibility and send you a letter with the results. Until you receive notification about your application, you will need to provide your child with a lunch or lunch money. To apply, please visit LunchApplication.com and click "Apply Now."
For assistance in completing your application, please call Mr. David Jewell, Edgewood Food Service Supervisor, at (513) 867- 3418, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am- 4:00 pm.
Only complete one application per family unless changes or updates must be made. The information you give will be used to determine or prove your child's eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. This information may also be used for other state or federally-funded school benefits.
If you would rather complete a paper application, that option is available as well. Just click here to access a printable version of the Free and Reduced-price Meal application, print it, and complete the form. The form can be returned to your child's school secretary or mail it to:
Mr. David Jewell
Edgewood City Schools
3500 Busenbark Road
Trenton, Ohio 45067
Meal Charges
Effective October 1, 2017, students grades K-12 on paid or reduced-priced status will be allowed a yearly maximum charge of $15.00 for the school year. This charge balance is the responsibility of the parent and must be paid upon notification. No ala carte items are eligible for charging. The Edgewood City Schools Food Service Department will be responsible for maintaining charge records, and notifying the parent/guardian of outstanding balances and the need for payment, in conjunction with the school office staff/administration, via email, texting, telephone, or written documentation.
Notification will be made to the parent/guardian once the $15.00 charged limit has been reached.
It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide the necessary funding to the student’s meal account in order for purchases of food items to continue.
Payment can be made online via EZpay on the district website or funds can be sent directly to school with the student either by check or cash.
Once the charge limit is reached, a student will be provided an additional (5) meals which includes breakfast and lunch while funds can be placed on the student meal account. Any additional charges incurred for all meals will be the parent’s responsibility.
General Information
The Edgewood City School Food Service Department operates five on-site preparation kitchens. The cafeterias serve lunch and breakfast at each location daily. Continual efforts are made to improve the service and quality of the products we provide our customers.
It is the goal of our Food Service Department contribution to the physical and mental well-being of each student, enhancing their opportunity to participate fully in daily educational activities. This can be achieved by providing wholesome, high-quality, nutritious, and appetizing school lunch/breakfast served in a courteous manner in a pleasant environment.
This goal is done so in the most efficient and cost-effective means possible. To increase the acceptance and consumption of school lunch, we utilize a provision known as "Offer versus Serve" in all of our lunch rooms. This option reduces food waste by allowing children to choose three of the five meal components offered at each lunch; although it is recommended all five components be taken as the better value.
The five components are:
Meat /Meat Alternative: lean meat, cheese, eggs, peanut butter.
Grains/Breads:
Fruits: fresh, canned or frozen
Vegetables: fresh, canned or frozen
Fluid Milk: low fat milk is offered.
Eating breakfast has proven benefits of overall better health, better test scores, and fewer disciplinary problems. These are all excellent reasons to encourage your child to eat breakfast every morning.
The Food Service Department provides our students and employees wholesome appetizing food choices. This is important as it contributes to the physical and mental growth of our children. The Department is operated as a business. All costs including salaries associated with the Food Service Department are paid by money collected from students, staff, and federal reimbursement for participation in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program.
Grades K-5 | Grades 6-12 | Adults | |
Breakfast | 1.50 | 1.50 | |
Reduced Breakfast | .30 | .30 | |
Plate Lunch | 3.00 | 3.25 | |
Reduced Lunch | .40 | .40 | |
Milk |
Secondary schools offer a daily choice of: | Secondary schools offer a daily choice of: |
Hot Lunch | Hot Lunch |
Breakfast:
Each BREAKFAST provides at least ¼ minimum of the RDA's* for your student. The foods are:
2 Servings (2 oz.) Breads, Cereals, Grains
1 Serving (4 oz.) Fruit or Fruit Juice
1 Serving (8 oz.) Milk
OR
1 Serving (1 oz.) Bread
1 Serving (1 oz.) Meat or Eggs
1 Serving (4 oz.) Fruit or Fruit Juice
1 Serving (8 oz.) Milk
Lunch:
Each LUNCH provides at least 1/3 of the RDA's* for your student.
1 Serving (2 to 3 oz.) Protein Foods (Meat/Cheese)
2 or 3 Servings (2 to 3 oz.) Breads, Cereals, Grains
2 or more servings (3/4 cup or more) Fruits and/or Vegetables
1 Serving (8 oz.) Milk
* RDA= Recommended Daily Allowance
Food Allergies
Parents please contact the school nurse if your child has any food allergies or restrictions. Students who are lactose intolerant must have a written notice from a health care professional in order to receive juice in place of milk. USDA guidelines prohibit serving substitute drinks to students without written medical directives from a medical authority. Notes from parents requesting any beverage other than milk are not acceptable under USDA guidelines of the National School Lunch Program.
Returned Checks
A $29.00 charge will be assessed for a returned check. Additional checks will not be accepted until all fees are paid. For a second offense, no checks will be accepted for the remainder of the school year. Call the Food Service office at 513-867-3400 Ext. 3127 to arrange for payment.
Cafeteria Manners
Students are encouraged to use good manners in the dining area. This includes sitting in their seats until excused by lunchroom monitors, talking softly at the table and cleaning up after themselves.
Wellness
Edgewood City Schools will promote a supportive approach for parents to be active role models and to encourage their children by making suggestions about healthy choices from the school menu. Parents are discouraged from bringing in fast food or soft drinks into the cafeteria for student lunches.
About the School Lunch Program
The U.S. Congress created the school lunch program in 1946 in the belief that "it is a measure of national security to safeguard the health and well-being of the nation's children." The objective of the program is to provide nutritional meals at an affordable price. Menus meet USDA Dietary guidelines for Americans. The meal pattern has four components: meat/meat alternative foods, fruits and vegetables, bread/bread equivalent foods and fluid milk as a beverage.
Can Parents Help?
You have already helped by encouraging your child to buy a nutritious school lunch. Sound nutrition is the basis for growth of body and mind. We do offer employment opportunities. Short hours are available. A great way to earn income while your students are in school.
Are School Lunches Healthy by Today's Standards?
Conscientious efforts are made to reduce the amount of salt, fat and sugar in the diet in keeping with UD Dietary Guidelines. This is because eating habits develop early. The healthy diet consists of a variety of foods eaten in moderation. This is the reason most schools offer students a choice of menus or menu items.