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District to continue free meals through 2030–31; breakfast-after-the-bell served 11,500 junior-high meals
Summary
Food services director said the district recertified for the Community Eligibility Provision (free breakfast and lunch through the 2030–31 cycle), reported over 11,500 breakfasts served via 'breakfast after the bell' at the junior high, and disclosed outstanding legacy meal debt of $7,581.68.
Kendall, the district's director of food services, told the board that Cascade has recertified for the Community Eligibility Provision and "will be able to recertify for another 4 year cycle," which the director said would extend free breakfast and lunch districtwide through the 2030–31 school year.
Kendall also highlighted the success of a junior-high "breakfast after the bell" program, reporting the district "served over 11,500 breakfast for that program alone this year" by using grab-and-go carts between passing periods. She said that overall the district served roughly 15,000 more breakfasts over the year compared with the prior year, and about 3,500 more lunches.
On the question of outstanding meal debt, Kendall reported the nutrition-services account still shows a net negative balance of $7,581.68 from legacy charges incurred before the district adopted the Community Eligibility Provision; she described multiple mechanisms to reduce that balance including grants, donations and targeted repayments. The board asked whether diplomas can be withheld for unpaid meal debt; Kendall confirmed that diplomas can be withheld but said staff work to avoid that outcome.
Kendall also warned of an upcoming USDA added-sugar regulation that will limit added sugar to less than 10% of calories in school meals beginning next year and noted some menu adjustments (for example, replacing products as manufacturers comply) will be required.
