School Nutrition
Topics on this page: Nutrition Information, Free
& Reduced Meal Benefits Application, Frequently
Asked Questions
School Nutrition Information
Milwaukee Public Schools is proud to be recognized by the
Food Research Action Committee (FRAC) for increased participation in
the National School Breakfast Program. There were 4.7 million
breakfasts served in the 2007-08 school year, more than twice the
number served just two years earlier.
Milwaukee Public Schools follow federal nutrition guidelines serving
more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy than
ever before. School nutrition professional prepare and serve balanced,
nutritious meals in age-appropriate portion sizes that provided needed
nutrition and promote healthy childhood weights. School lunch provides
one-third of the recommended dietary allowances of protein, Vitamin A,
Vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories. School breakfast provides
one-fourth of the recommended calories and nutrients per day.
Free and
Reduced Meal Benefits Application
- Pick up an application at your child(s) school, Central
Services Lunch Application Office, Room 3, or Apply Online
- Instructions
on completing the Free & Reduced Meal Benefits Application in English
and Spanish
- Meal Benefits Application Form in English
and Spanish
- Cost
and payment information for school meals in English
and Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions about Meal Benefits
Download
a copy of the Meal Benefits Frequently Asked Questions in
English
and
Spanish
What happens if a family does not
submit a Meal Benefits Application?
Children in the household will be
required to pay full price for breakfast and lunch.
My child(ren) received free lunch last
year. Will they automatically get free lunch again this year?
No! Each year you much complete a new
Meal Benefits Application. Last year's meal status is valid until a
2009-10 application has been processed OR until October 13, 2009
(whichever comes first); however, if a new application is not submitted
and processed by September 12th, your free or reduced status is dropped
and you will have to pay the full price of the meal.
How long does it take to get approved?
Applications are approved or denied
within 10 business days of receipt in the School Nutrition Services,
Lunch Application Office.
Where can I get an application?
An application was included with your
child(s) school calendar mailing. Additional applications are also
available in each school's office or at Central Services Lunch
Application Office, Room 3.
You may also apply online.
An expired meal eligibility means their
child's status will change to "Paid" and they will be asked to pay the
full price of the meal. If the temporary meal eligibility has expired,
the family should call the Lunch Application Office at (414) 475-8897
for instructions. The family must pay for any meals charged between the
time the application expired and the time a permanent application is
approved.
We receive a letter that one of our
children is "directly certified" for free meals. Are their siblings
automatically qualified for free meals?
Sometimes one child is approved through
direct certification and another is not. In this case, you must submit
an application for those children who did NOT receive a pre-approval
letter.
Why would a child's status change from
free/reduced at the beginning of the year to full pay?
This can occur for different reasons:
- No application was submitted and processed before October 12,
2009.
- The family completed an application reporting zero income and the
temporary status expired after 45 calendar days.
- The family was selected for verification/audit and did not return
the required documentation.
No! All applications are scanned by an
automated process. Faxed applications cannot be scanned and the means
they cannot be processed.
If I come to Milwaukee Public Schools
(MPS) from another school district where my children received free or
reduced meal benefits, do I have to reapply here to continue to receive
benefits?
If you come to MPS from another school
district, you must complete a new application. Meal eligibility status
does not transfer to MPS. If you child(ren) transfer from one school to
anther within MPS, their status would remain the same.
What income do I need to list on the
application?
Income is any money received on
an ongoing, regular basis. List the gross income each person
earned from work. Gross income is all money earned before any taxes or
other deductions. Income includes: earnings from work, child support,
alimony, pensions, retirement, social security, overtime (if it occurs
on a regular basis), etc. If the hours you work vary from week to week,
take two of you paychecks and average them together to get your total
income for the period.
What if more than one family lives in
the house?
All member of the household and their
income should be included on the application, even if more than one
family lives in the same household.
Do I need to list the income of an
adult that lives in the home, but is not a parent of the children?
Yes, any income received by any adult
in the house must be listed on the application.
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