OCPS meals will be free for 2021-22

Orange County Public Schools’ Food and Nutrition Services Department, through a USDA waiver, will provide meals for all OCPS students in school at no charge. 

This will include breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

“This support for parents and children from USDA will certainly come in handy for anyone who has had their income interrupted or changed,” Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Services Lora Gilbert said. “Earlier this year, research documented that the school menus provide the healthiest meal many children get all day. Also, this year, parents will receive communication from their school on how to reserve meals if their child is quarantined due to a COVID-19 case.”

The district’s food service goal is to increase the amount of local produce purchased from farmers. Last year cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, green beans, oranges and watermelon were on the menu and fresh from the farm.