Food Service
Okemos Public Schools provides meals that meet the Federal school meal guidelines to all students. Breakfast and lunch are available to every student for free. The Food Service Department aims to serve each student delicious and nutritious meals, while nourishing the body, mind, and spirit of all students.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
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 brian.kremkow@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.
Contact Us
Brian Kremkow
Director of Food Services
517.706.5012
Amanda Patton
Administrative Assistant
517.706.5017
Contact Amanda Patton
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When is Breakfast?
Breakfast is served in the cafeteria at each school.
- Okemos High School: Breakfast served 7:15 am – 7:45 am
- Chippewa (7-8) School: Breakfast served 7:30 am - 7:55 am
- Kinawa (5-6) School: Breakfast served 8:15 am – 8:40 am
- Bennett Woods Elementary: Breakfast served 8:30 am – 8:50 am
- Central-Montessori Elementary: Breakfast served 8:30 am - 8:45 am
- Cornell Elementary: Breakfast served: 8:30 am – 8:45 am
- Hiawatha Elementary: Breakfast served: 8:30 am - 8:50 am
Summer EBT Information
Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefit issuance began on July 8, 2024. Benefits will be issued in staggered format, in accordance with the rules of the EBT vendor. Letters were sent to each eligible family on July 8, notifying them of their approval and how to use their card/benefits.
Families with an active Food or Cash Assistance case will have their Summer EBT benefits loaded directly onto their current Bridge card.
All other eligible families will receive a new Summer EBT card in the mail. While Summer EBT benefit issuance began on July 8, the EBT vendor requires a 4-week window to have all cards mailed out. All Summer EBT cards included in the July 8 issuance should be out by August 9.
As a reminder, students attending Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools are not automatically eligible to receive Summer EBT. Any family that did not complete the Education Benefits Form for the 2023-24 school year will need to complete the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Summer EBT application to verify their eligibility.
Families with questions on the Summer EBT program are encouraged to contact the MDHHS Summer EBT call center at 833-905-0028, Option 2, or email MDHHS-SEBT@michigan.gov
Meal Program Information 2024-25 - 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:
- Fruit/Vegetable
- Grains (Meat/Meat Alternates may be substituted when the minimum daily grain is met)
- 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:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Grains
- Meat/Meat Alternates
- 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.