Start saving with the USDA Free/Reduced Lunch Program

The USDA free/reduced lunch program can save a family up to $392 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-priced 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-8 with 20 years of service and a total household size of five (sponsor, spouse and three children) would qualify for the reduced lunch program 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. 

To learn about eligibility guidelines, visit www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/notices/iegs/IEGs08-09.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: main office on Kapaun, 489-6771 or 0631-536-6771; satellite office on Ramstein, 480-9374 or 06371-47-9374.

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