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Orange County Schools lays out summer meal sites, Sunbucks benefits and 2025–26 pricing outlook
Summary
School nutrition staff reported 12 summer meal host sites (10 open to the public), a Sunbucks grocery benefit replacing summer P-EBT, maintenance of current meal prices for 2025–26 and a positive operating balance; staff will return with contract price details.
Orange County Schools presented its summer meal plan and the School Nutrition Program’s financial outlook for the 2025 summer and the 2025–26 school year.
Highlights - Last summer the district provided 26,552 meals; staff said lessons learned shaped this year’s plans. - This summer OCS will operate 12 host sites, 10 of which are open to the public, with no-cost meals for children under age 18. The program runs through Aug. 9. - The district will offer daily on-site hot meals and three site-based 5-day meal pickup boxes (New Hope Elementary on Mondays 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; Pathways Elementary Tuesdays 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; Gravelly Hill Middle Wednesdays 3:30–5 p.m.). Families are asked to register for the 5-day boxes to ensure adequate supplies. - The USDA’s Sunbucks program (a one-time benefit similar to prior summer P-EBT) will provide about $120 per eligible student; cards are to be issued mid-May through Aug. 30. Families are encouraged to check eligibility via state resources and to contact school social workers for help. - The School Nutrition Program reported a positive operating balance in April and expects to close the fiscal year with a net positive balance. Staff recommended no meal-price increase for 2025–26 and said elementary universal breakfast will continue to be provided at no charge.
What staff said and next steps Sarah Pitts, presenting the program, said the district will continue CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) groupings for certain schools and extend the USDA’s 30-day grace period for students moving between CEP and non-CEP schools so families have time to complete applications. Pitts said contracts for 2025–26 are under procurement review and she will return to the board later in the month with exact contract prices; she warned that vendors and handling fees are expected to rise but staff are budgeting to contain costs and maintain offerings.
Board questions and community supports Board members asked about site counts (Pitts confirmed 12 host sites, 10 open to the public), child-age recommendations (meals available for ages 4–18; meals not recommended for children under 4 due to meal pattern restrictions and choking risks) and the status of unpaid meal debt. Pitts reported unpaid student debt of roughly $19,115 districtwide, about half of last year’s balance, and said $12,273 was available in angel (donation) accounts to offset debts; additional donations and prepayments were expected.
No board action required The presentation was received as information; staff will return with contract pricing and continue outreach to families and community partners on eligibility and site information.
Ending Parents and community agencies were advised to check OCS and state meal-finder resources, and to contact the district for assistance with Sunbucks or meal-application questions.
