Child Nutrition
Nutritious meals are served every day and meet patterns established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Menus are planned and analyzed by the district’s Registered and Licensed Dietitian.
Child Nutrition Updates for 2021
DEADLINE FEB 28! Family Pandemic Food Support P-EBT
Information from the State of Minnesota:
Students who qualify for free/reduced price lunch may be eligible for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) to purchase food for days they are not in the school building.
To receive benefits, your child must be enrolled in SNAP, the Minnesota Family Investment Program, or approved for free or reduced-price school meals.
IMPORTANT STEPS to complete by February 28, 2021:
- If your household has not yet applied for Free/Reduced meals for this school year, it is very important that you apply before February 28, 2021 in order to qualify for additional benefits.
- Households must have a current mailing address on file with the school in order to receive the P-EBT card in the mail.
START THE APPLICATION FOR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
The USDA and the Food & Nutrition Service at MDE allows for free school meals to children 18 and under. This includes distance and in-person students.
Will there be meals for pick up at designated school sites?
Yes, bagged meals will continue to be available through March 26 at the following locations from 11:30AM to 1:00PM when school is in session:
Ordean East Middle School, 2900 East 4th Street
Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W. 3rd Street
Denfeld High School, 401 N. 44th Avenue W.
Duluth East High School, 301 N. 40th Avenue E.
Schedules may change beginning March 29 when in-person opportunities for middle and high school students increase, thanks for your patience!
Will there be bus hubs?
No, With in-person learning at elementary schools and hybrid starting at middle and high schools, school bus hubs will no longer be used for bagged meal distribution. Buses will be used for transporting students and more students are receiving meals while at school.
Will the meals cost money?
No, The USDA and the Food & Nutrition Service at MDE announced that school meals are available to children 18 and under at no cost.
If my student is at school and brings a lunch from home, can they purchase milk?
Yes, milk is available for purchase. A carton of milk is 50 cents.
If breakfast and lunch are free, why do I have to fill out a free or reduced application?
Even though meals are currently free we need families to fill out the Free & Reduced Price Lunch application.
Approved applications generate state funding that provides important services and programs for our Duluth students.
A decline in applications now can result in less programs and services for students in the next school year.
To apply for free & reduced meals, click here to complete and submit an on-line Free and Reduced Application for Educational Benefits. On-line applications are safe, secure, private and available anytime. Families can also download an application off the district website or call our Child Nutrition Office to have an application mailed to their home.
Safety Measures
Child Nutrition staff and other district staff will sanitize the cafeteria tables after each line. Child Nutrition staff will continue to be diligent in following the MN Dept of Health and MDE sanitation guidelines.