September 21, 2020
News from Barberton City Schools Food Service
Barberton City Schools Food Service has some exciting news. USDA just announced that they have extended the free meal program for all children in the district through the end of the calendar year, or until the money runs out. This will allow every child to eat free through December 31, 2020, no matter the child’s economic circumstances.
This unprecedented move will help ensure, no matter what the situation, that all children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. USDA has been and continues to be committed to using the Congressionally appropriate funding that has been made available.
Barberton Food Service purchased a barcode verification system to use this Fall in all our schools to replace the pin pad system, where our students entered their ID number in order to access their meal account. Although accurate, it slowed service in our elementary schools, having to scan each ID card. With this announcement, we can deliver meals much faster when taking them to the classroom. The Middle School and the High School are continuing to scan ID cards to allow our students in these buildings to purchase ala carte items, as we slowly introduce them into our daily routine. This will also help keep them in this habit when this money ends.
Starting Tuesday September 22, 2020 any student may eat free, both breakfast and lunch in all our buildings or if they are doing remote learning. We want to strongly encourage all families who feel they may qualify for free or reduced meals to apply for the program (Go to Pay Schools Central, register as the parent, to apply). This money will run out and then you will defer back to the meal status you were approved for when you applied. We also need your children to sign up for lunch in the classroom, as they have done this year, especially with this news, so we can be prepared with enough food.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Jill Orris, Food Service Director, at [email protected].
Our professional Food Service Staff is here to take care of your children and we look forward to feeding them throughout the school year.
Thank you,
Jill Orris
Food Service Director
Barberton City Schools
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.