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Food and Nutrition: district reports rising participation, outlines summer-meal pick‑up program; board OKs small lunch price increase
Summary
Food and Nutrition Services reported a 52.3% free/reduced rate, average daily participation of about 6,000 breakfasts and 8,200 lunches, and described a summer meals pick-up program; the board approved raising paid lunch from $2.90 to $3.10 for FY26.
Cecil County Public Schools' Food and Nutrition Services presented department finances, participation data and summer programming at the June 11 board meeting. Director Scott Heckert said federal reimbursements account for roughly 77% of the department's revenues and reported countywide average daily participation at about 6,000 breakfasts and 8,200 lunches.
"We are a special revenue fund," Heckert said. "77% of our revenues are generated through federal reimbursements, from the USDA, for all meals served." He reported the district's free/reduced rate for the year at 52.3 percent; 27 schools participate in the Maryland Meals for Achievement free breakfast program and 14 schools participate under the Community Eligibility Provision, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students at qualifying sites.
Heckert described the district's summer meal distribution beginning the week of June 23: registered families can pick up a week's worth of seven breakfasts and seven lunches at designated sites (registration via a posted Google form/QR code). Distribution sites mentioned include Cecilton, Earlville and Bayview Elementary; meals are precooked and packaged with preparation instructions, and some items will require reheating. The board praised the summer program and the department's stewardship of funds and equipment purchases.
The board separately approved the recommended school-meal price change for FY26: paid lunch will increase from $2.90 to $3.10; breakfast prices were unchanged. Finance staff and the board said eligibility rules are set by federal guidelines and that the price change does not affect eligibility for free or reduced-price meals.
Key figures and notes - Free/reduced rate: 52.3% (countywide) - Average daily participation (countywide): ~6,000 breakfasts; ~8,200 lunches - Maryland Meals for Achievement: 27 participating schools - Community Eligibility Provision: 14 participating schools (Elkton feeder except Kenmore Elementary) - Summer meal pick-up: weekly distribution (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches) starting June 23 at select sites; registration via Google form/QR code - Paid lunch price increase approved: $2.90 → $3.10 (FY26)
The board recorded the meal-price motion as approved unanimously.
