Meal service plans for students in Virtual Learning Program to be announced soon

Towson, MD – The Baltimore County Public Schools’ Office of Food and Nutrition Services will offer all students attending BCPS schools free breakfast and lunch meals throughout the 2021-2022 school year, beginning on Monday, Aug. 30, the first day of school.

Breakfast meals will be offered upon entering the school and then eaten in classrooms. For lunch meal service, students will go through the cafeteria line and choose an entrée, fruit and vegetable sides, and milk. Menus are posted on the Office of Food and Nutrition Services website. Snack, a la carte, and adult meal purchases will not be available at this time.

“We are so pleased to be able to offer this service to BCPS students and families,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “I also want to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated and hard-working Office of Food and Nutrition Services team. Since March 2020, this tireless team has served 2.9 million meals to BCPS students. They understand that ensuring that students are well-nourished is essential for wellbeing and academic progress.”

Details will be shared soon regarding how free meals will be distributed to students participating in the Virtual Learning Program.

Meal benefit applications are available upon request to establish eligibility for other programs or services.  Please call 443-809-7860 for additional information and income guidelines.

The United States Department of Agriculture extended Child Nutrition Program waivers that allow school systems the flexibility to continue access to free meals for the entire school year. The waiver allows the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option to operate when school is open during the regular school year. Participating under the program eliminates the need to collect meal payments, including cash payments in school cafeterias.

USDA information about program

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

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 Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online, 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:

(1)         mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410.

(2)         fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3)         email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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