Students at South Haven Public Schools will be able to get free lunches this coming school year. South Haven Public Schools Child Nutrition Director June Altom tells WSJM News enough of the district’s students this year qualify for free lunches under federal guidelines, therefore opening the program to the whole district. She says this can help make sure more of the kids eat healthy.
“We obviously encourage all of the students to purchase a lunch or to obtain a lunch or a breakfast from us,” Altom said. “We serve breakfast and lunch at all of the schools. Typically, nationwide, school lunches are definitely more healthy than what students will bring from home.”
Under the federal free school lunch program, Altom says a student won’t be charged as long as they pick out certain number of healthy items with their lunch.
“Parents should know that their student will not have to bring money. They will not have to put money in their account for a reimbursable meal.”
Altom says the staff will tell the student if they need to add a fruit or vegetable or milk to make their meal reimbursable. She notes school breakfasts will also be free. Altom says similar district-wide free lunches are available at Covert Public Schools.
