Annual Announcement for School Nutrition Programs

The Delaware Department of Education announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy for free and reduced-price meals for families unable to pay the full price for meals served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and After School Snack Program (ASSP). Each participating school and its administrative office have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

In School Year 2023-2024, schools will continue to operate the NSLP, SBP, and ASSP under normal operations and will be collecting free or reduced-price meal eligibility applications, unless the school elects to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

Meal benefit forms (MBFs) will be sent home with a letter to families. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households should fill out the MBF for their household and return it to the school.  The information provided on the MBF will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by program officials. Information on the MBF may not be used for any other purpose unless consent is granted by parent/guardian.

For program officials to determine eligibility, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and/or Delaware Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (DE-TANF) must list the child’s name, the SNAP and/or DE-TANF case number, and provide a signature and name of an adult household member.  Households not receiving SNAP and/or DE-TANF must list: names of all household members; the amount of the gross income for each household member received last month; the income source and how often received; the signature of an adult household member; and that adult’s last four digits of social security number, or the word “none” or “No Social Security Number” box marked if the adult does not have a social security number.  MBFs may be submitted at any time during the school year.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, the school nutrition services supervisor will review MBFs and determine eligibility. Families dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Families wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing to the administrative office for a hearing on the decision.

 Children who are enrolled in Head Start or who are homeless, migrant, runaway, or in foster care are eligible for free school meal benefits. In certain instances, children receiving WIC may also be eligible. Families wishing to apply should follow the instructions on the MBF or contact their school for more information.

Households may report changes or reapply for meal benefits anytime during the school year. The information provided by the household is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program discrimination complaint form, which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


2022-23 School Year Free and Reduced-Price Meal Policy Announced

The Delaware Department of Education announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy for free and reduced-price meals for children unable to pay the full price for meals served under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and After School Snack Program (ASSP). Each participating school and its administrative office have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

 

In School Year 2022-2023, schools will be returning to normal NSLP, SBP and ASSP operations and will be collecting free or reduced-price meal eligibility applications, unless the school elects to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

 

Meal Benefit Forms (MBFs) will be sent home with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced-price meals, households should fill out the MBF for their household and return it to the school.  The information provided on the MBF will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by program officials. Information on the MBF may not be used for any other purpose unless consent is granted by parent/guardian.

 

For program officials to determine eligibility, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and/or Delaware Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (DE-TANF) must list the child’s name, their SNAP and/or DE-TANF case number, and provide a signature and name of an adult household member.  Households not receiving SNAP and/or DE-TANF must list: names of all household members; the amount of the gross income for each household member received last month; the income source and how often received; the signature of an adult household member; and that adult’s last four digits of social security number, or the word “none” or “No Social Security Number” box marked if the adult does not have a social security number.  MBFs may be submitted at any time during the school year.

 

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price policy, the school nutrition services supervisor will review MBFs and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents or guardians wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing to the administrative office for a hearing on the decision.

 

Children who are enrolled in Head Start, or are homeless, migrant, runaway or in foster care are eligible for free school meal benefits. In certain instances, children receiving WIC may also be eligible. Parents or guardians wishing to apply should follow the instructions on the MBF or contact their school for more information.

 

Households may report changes or reapply for meal benefits anytime during the school year. The information provided by the household is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data.

 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

 

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

 

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Delaware Department of Education with logo

 

 

 

Effective Date:  July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023

 

These are the income scales used by Child Nutrition Programs to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price meals.

 

Reduced Meals – 185% Free Meals – 130%
 

Household Size

 

Yearly

 

Monthly

Twice

per

Month

 

Every  two weeks

 

Weekly

 

Yearly

 

Monthly

Twice

per

Month

 

Every  two weeks

 

Weekly

1 $25,142 $2,096 $1,048 $967 $484 $17,667 $1,473 $737 $680 $340
2 $33,874 $2,823 $1,412 $1,303 $652 $23,803 $1,984 $992 $916 $458
3 $42,606 $3,551 $1,776 $1,639 $820 $29,939 $2,495 $1,248 $1,152 $576
4 $51,338 $4,279 $2,140 $1,975 $988 $36,075 $3,007 $1,504 $1,388 $694
5 $60,070 $5,006 $2,503 $2,311 $1,156 $42,211 $3,518 $1,759 $1,624 $812
6 $68,802 $5,734 $2,867 $2,647 $1,324 $48,347 $4,029 $2,015 $1,860 $930
7 $77,534 $6,462 $3,231 $2,983 $1,492 $54,483 $4,541 $2,271 $2,096 $1,048
8 $86,266 $7,189 $3,595 $3,318 $1,659 $60,619 $5,052 $2,526 $2,332 $1,166
For each additional household member, add:  

 

$8,732

 

 

$728

 

 

$364

 

 

$336

 

 

$168

 

 

$6,136

 

 

$512

 

 

$256

 

 

$236

 

 

$118

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


Free school meals to continue in upcoming academic year

Delaware K-12 schools will have the option to continue offering free nutritious school meals during the 2021-2022 school year, the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) announced today.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) released a group of waivers and eligibility guidelines allowing schools to offer meals without determining eligibility based on the student’s household income.

 

Participating schools can operate under the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and will receive a higher federal reimbursement rate per meal.

 

Schools that elect not to serve free meals through the SSO will determine eligibility for free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) using federal income guidelines. The annually updated income eligibility guidelines for the 2021-22 school year have been released by the USDA.

 

The new eligibility guidelines went into effect July 1, 2021 and allow schools and other institutions and facilities to determine eligibility for the NSLP, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program for Children, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer.

 

To apply, households already receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) need only include the SNAP or TANF case number on their application if not notified of their automatic eligibility by the school. Households enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals and should complete a Household Meal Benefit Application. Households should contact the school nutrition program of the district or school where their child(ren) attends school for further information.

 

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 at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, 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.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


School nutrition programs announce meal options for students during closure

The Delaware Department of Education has received a waiver from the federal government to allow school nutrition programs to provide meals to students during the closure.

 

“We know that many of our students depend on the meals they receive in schools as their main source of food. Receiving waivers for the operation of the federal School Nutrition Programs means that most of our districts and charter schools will be able to provide meals for students who may need them during the time they are not in school due to COVID-19,” Secretary of Education Susan Bunting said. “Additionally, the state is in communication with other organizations that may assist in the provision of meals for students during this time.”

 

Please find a list of open meal sites for students here (https://www.doe.k12.de.us/covid19).  Families may pick up meal bags for children 18 and under who live in their home. Children must be present. Any family needing additional information may contact their district or charter office.

 

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006


Sites across Delaware offer free summer meals to children

Districts, charter schools and community partners across the state are providing free meals to children in their communities so they don’t go hungry while school is out.

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a federally funded program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and managed locally by the Delaware Department of Education, targets children in low-income areas so they have healthy meals during the summer. Meals are provided in communities in areas where children gather. No registration or proof of eligibility is required at open meal sites. Any child 18 and under who comes is fed.

In Summer 2018, 760,029 meals and snacks were served at 329 sites throughout the state.

“We know many children rely on the meals they receive in school and still have those food needs during summer break,” Secretary of Education Susan Bunting said. “With the partnership of our districts, charter schools and community organizations, this program gives children access to nutritious food during the summer in their own communities.”

To find a Summer Food Service Program location in your community and its dates of operation, call 211 or visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks.

If you are interested in being a summer meal site, contact the Delaware Department of Education Nutrition Programs Office at (302) 857-3356.

Note to the media: You are invited to cover any of the following kickoff events:

• 11 a.m., Friday, June 14, Seaford Library, 600 N. Market St. Extension, Seaford
• 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 19, Eisenberg Elementary School, 27 Landers Lane, New Castle
• 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 20, Greater Dover Boys & Girls Club, 1683 New Burton Road, Dover

 

Media Contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006