Healthy School Meals for All
With the passing of Healthy School Meals for All (HSMFA), LPS is able to offer one breakfast and one lunch at no charge each day to every student! Each meal must include a fruit or vegetable to qualify for the HSMFA program.
It is still encouraged for all families to complete the requested School Benefit Application to ensure the district receives appropriate funding both in the classroom via the general fund and at meal time via the nutrition program fund. Families who complete this form may also be eligible for additional benefits or waived district fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does “Healthy Meals for All Colorado Students” go into effect?
A: School districts have the ability to “Opt In” to Healthy School Meals for All for the 23-24 school year, beginning August 2023. LPS has opted in to begin August 2023.
Q: What does “Healthy School Meals for All” cover?
A: Students will be able to enjoy 1 reimbursable breakfast meal and 1 reimbursable lunch meal at no charge each day. Additional meals and/or a la carte are not included.
Q: What is a reimbursable breakfast meal?
A: A reimbursable breakfast includes 3 meal items, but some entrees count as two items. Each breakfast must include a 1/2 cup fruit or juice serving as one of the meal items. Our kitchen staff will help to instruct students on creating reimbursable meals as they come throught the serving line, but it's always good to have reinforcement of this information at home.
Q: What is a reimbursable lunch meal?
A: A reimbursable lunch include 3 meal components out of the five offered (grain, meat/meat alternative, milk, fruit, and vegetable). Each lunch must include a minimum of 1/2 cup fruit or vegetable serving as one of the meal components. Our kitchen staff will help to instruct students on creating reimbursable meals as they come throught the serving line, but it's always good to have reinforcement of this information at home.
Q: Will we need to fill out free and reduced meal applications for the 23-24 school year?
A: It is still encouraged for all families to complete the requested income forms to ensure the district receives appropriate funding both in the classroom (general fund) and at meal time (meal program fund). This application form is called the School Meal Benefits application for the 23-24 school year.
Q: Can a family opt out of having their student eat for free?
A: Families cannot opt out or continue paying for their students’ meals.
Q: Will school nutrition staff be paid more next year as a direct result of FF passing?
A: Districts will have the ability to “Opt In” to receiving stipends for staffing for the 24-25 school year. These funds will only be available if the state department of education nutrition unit is approved for Direct Cert - Medicaid pilot.
Q: Can we expect more local foods offered as a direct result of FF passing next year?
A: Districts will have the ability to “Opt In” to receive additional funds for local procurement for the 24-25 school year. These funds will only be available if the state department of education nutrition unit is approved for Direct Cert - Medicaid pilot.