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The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Public Law 116-127, authorized free school meals for all students and other temporary changes. The law expires on June 30, 2022. This authorization was in response to the sudden widespread and lengthy unemployment of many households and loss of in-school learning that started at the beginning of the pandemic. Without access to the school breakfast and lunch programs that many of our Nation’s children depend on, the health of our Nation’s children was at risk. Therefore, Congress authorized waivers to the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program that provided free student meals.
Beginning as early as July 1st of each school year, families can complete an application for free and reduced-price meals. Families who do not qualify or do not apply will pay the full price amount. Eligibility status for free and reduced-price meals is for the entire school year and only one school year. Families must reapply every school year as early as July 1st (July 15th for AAFES). It is highly encouraged that families apply each school year.
Eligibility for free and reduced-price meals is based on household size and income. When determining household income, each spouse’s income is included. However, military pay for the overseas cost of living adjustment, overseas housing allowance, hazardous duty pay and combat pay is EXCLUDED from total income. Overseas families, excluding Guam and Puerto Rico, use the Alaska Income Eligibility Rate. The income eligibility rates will not be published by USDA until mid-late June. A foster child who is the legal responsibility of the courts is eligible to receive free meals regardless of your income.
For all Exchanges, you will need your student ID number, exact spelling of the student name used upon registration and an email address. The student ID number and exact spelling of name used upon registration is available from your school.
For AAFES School Meal Program, please visit this website for more information: https://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/school-lunch-program/
For NEXCOM Student Meal Program, please visit this website for more information: https://www.mynavyexchange.com/studentmealprogram/ For families participating in the NEXCOM Student Meal Program, your district name is 'DoDEA - Navy Exchange (Alexandria, Virginia).
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications are made through an online application. In accordance with USDA regulations, applications are available no earlier than July 1st for the upcoming school year. You must have your child’s DoDEA student ID number, the exact spelling of the name used on the school enrollment application and a correct email address. An email is required to receive the status confirmation email.
For AAFES: Applications are made through an online application at https://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/school-lunch-program/
For NEXCOM: Applications are available at https://www.mynavyexchange.com/studentmealprogram.
Please see the K-12 School Liaison Program website for more information: https://iwakuni.usmc-mccs.org/marine-family-support/child-youth/k-12-school-liaison-program
Reduced-price breakfast - $0.30
Reduced-price lunch - $0.40
Full price breakfast – $2.00
Full price lunch – $3.50 Universal Pre-K, Elementary School; $3.75 Middle School, High School
All meals must be paid for in advance or at the time of sale. Households should prepare a budget to ensure they have funds to pay for meals. A best practice is to fund your child’s meal account every pay day with enough funds to pay for meals until the next pay day.
Yes, all students enrolled in DoDEA schools participating in the USDA SMP are eligible to participate. Parents/sponsors should establish a SMP account with AAFES/NEX/MCCS and then inquire with their local DoDEA schools regarding specific procedures.
If home school students have a DoDEA student ID number and are receiving auxiliary services or enrolled in at least one course, they are eligible to participate in the student meal program.
In the spirit of an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the best practice is to include the cost of school meals in your budget and then every pay day fund the account through the next pay day. You can set up low balance reminders in the on-line account or set up automatic payments to avoid this issue.
In the rare event that a child has no lunch meal or money to pay for a meal, the school kitchen members will make special arrangements to feed your child; however, this meal must be paid for by the family. Tax dollars and school meals revenue cannot be used to pay this debt owed by the family.
Please visit your Exchange Student Meal Program website.
AAFES Student Meal Program
NEXCOM Student Meal Program
MCCS Student Meal Program
** Every school does not provide the School Breakfast Program. Please contact your school administration for more information.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
