Dear Benton Area School District Families,
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture recently announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will extend several flexibilities for school meals. The USDA stated, “As our nation reopens and people return to work, it remains critical our children continue to receive safe, healthy, and nutritious food.”
The Benton Area School District is offering a FREE breakfast and FREE lunch to any child in the Benton community age 18 and under. This includes all Benton students (attending in-person or virtually), Head Start students, and any other child in the community age 18 or under.
These meals have been extended through June 30, 2022 or until funding is no longer available at which time statuses will return to Paid, Free and Reduced rates based on qualifications and applications, so it is important for students to return free and reduced meal applications as soon as possible to avoid any gap in benefits.
We remain committed to providing students access to healthy, nutritious, and wholesome meals while assuring the utmost food safety without compromising quality.
If you have any questions or would like to start receiving free meals, please contact Michele Hicklin, Food Service Director, at (570) 925-6651 ext. 3009 or nutrition@bentonsd.org.
Thank you!