Superintendent Arntzen ensures school meal assistance
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News from the Office of Public Instruction
HELENA — Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) are continuing to offer students nutrition assistance programs. The state-administered national school lunch and breakfast programs and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) are federally funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Since 2020, the OPI sought and was granted waivers to provide lunch and breakfast school nutrition regardless of income eligibility. These federal waivers conclude at the end of this school year.
Beginning in June, SFSP will continue nutrition services without income eligibility requirements. SFSP sites may include pools, parks, community centers, or schools. Eligible sponsors include private or nonprofit schools, organizations, and local government agencies. No application is necessary; when children arrive at a community SFSP site, they receive a free meal. The OPI is accepting applications through April 29 for eligible site sponsors. Site sponsors are reimbursed at a set rate for meals served to children.
“We are appreciative of the many partnerships with Montana communities that provide our children and families’ nutrition during the summer,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “This summer program continues to serve all of our Montana students.”
When the 2022-23 school year opens, families will apply for free and reduced-price school breakfast and lunch meals based on income eligibility. Those families already receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or attending a school that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision do not need to apply for free and reduced-price school meals.
