Start applying now for the USDA Free/Reduced School Lunch Program


The USDA free/reduced-price lunch program can save a family up to $384 per child attending Department of Defense Dependents Schools every year. The USDA School Lunch Program is offered at all KMC schools and is designed to meet federal requirements for nutritiously balanced meals and offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible children. Families need to apply annually for the program.

Eligibility for receiving free or reduced-price lunches is based on total family income and household size. When determining income eligibility, COLA and housing are not included as income.

For example: An E-7 with 14 years of service and a total household size of four (sponsor, spouse and two children) would qualify for the reduced-price lunch program providing there is no additional income in the household.

An E-8 with 20 years of service and a total household size of five (sponsor, spouse and three children) would qualify for the reduced-price lunch program, again providing there is no additional income in the household.

The current price of reduced lunch is 40 cents versus the full price of $2.05; this is a possible savings of $298.65 per child during the course of the school year.

Applications are accepted throughout the school year by the 86th Mission Support Group School Liaison Offices at Kapaun AS, Bldg 2787 Suite 300 – Duty Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Ramstein AB, Bldg 2106 Rm 207 ― Duty Hrs: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The application form, USAFE400, may be obtained at any of the KMC Schools, School Liaison Offices or downloaded at www.e-publishing.af.mil.

To learn about eligibility guidelines, visit www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/notices/iegs/IEGs11-12.pdf  

For lunch menus or to find out more about the AAFES lunch program, visit http://odin.aafes.com/nutrition

More information can also be found by calling the School Liaison Offices: Kapaun, 489-6771 or 0631-536-6771; Ramstein, 480-9374 or 06371-47-9374.

(Courtesy of the 86th Mission Support Group – School Liaison Office)