OKEMOS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Meal Program Information 2023-2024 - Free Breakfast & Lunch

   The Okemos Food Services Department participates in the Michigan School Meals Program. In order to receive free breakfast and lunch in our lunchrooms, students must select a reimbursable meal. A reimbursable meal is one that satisfies the nutritional components determined by the USDA. Quantities vary by age/grade group, but components remain constant and necessary for all student meals claimed for reimbursement. For your student to receive a free meal, the items they select MUST satisfy the nutritional requirements.

The BREAKFAST meal pattern consists of 3 food components:

1. Fruit/Vegetable
2. Grains (Meat/Meat Alternates may be substituted when the minimum daily grain is met)
3. Fluid Milk (1% or fat-free white or fat-free flavored)

For BREAKFAST, the student must select at least 3 components, one of which MUST be a fruit, vegetable, or juice. For example, if your child only selects a cereal bowl and a milk, this breakfast is not reimbursable because it is missing fruit or juice. In this case, your child's account would be charged the cost of the cereal bowl and the milk because their selections do not satisfy all of the nutritional requirements. If your child adds a fruit cup or juicebox, the breakfast is now reimbursable, and your child's account will not be charged. Milk alone is not a reimbursable meal and is not free; it must be charged as a la carte if a full meal is not taken. 

The LUNCH meal pattern consists of 5 components:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Grains
4. Meat/Meat Alternates
5. Fluid Milk (1% or fat-free white or fat-free flavored)

For LUNCH, the student must select at least 3 different and up to 5 components, one of which MUST be a fruit or vegetable. For example, if your child selects pizza and milk, this lunch is not reimbursable because it is missing a fruit and/or vegetable. In this case, your child's account would be charged the cost of the pizza and milk because their selections do not satisfy all of the nutritional requirements. If your child adds a salad and/or grapes, the lunch is now reimbursable, and your child's account would not be charged. Milk alone is not a reimbursable meal and is not free, it has to be charged as ala carte if a full meal is not taken. 

Visit https://okemos.familyportal.cloud to deposit funds, check balances, or track purchases. You also can complete a free and reduced application that may make you eligible for additional resources. 

MEAL PROGRAM INFORMATION:

Coming Soon!

SPECIAL DIETARY ACCOMMODATIONS:

If your student has a food allergy, please fill out the Special Dietary Accommodation Form and return it to: Okemos Public Schools Food Service Department, 4406 N. Okemos Road, Okemos, MI 48864 or email it to emily.swirsky@okemosk12.net . It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian making the request to submit a properly filled out and documented Special Dietary Accommodation Form.  Accommodations will only be made once the form has been reviewed and a dietary plan has been made with the Department of Food Service. Forms submitted to the school nurse are not considered for food service purposes.