• 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

     

     

    Meet Up - Eat Up

    The Meet Up and Eat Up Summer Food Service Program provides children and teens with healthy, nutritious meals that contain essential nutrients that promote healthier bodies and lifestyles. The sites that provide the summer meals are always safe and local. 
    For more information, call a sponsor in your community today or contact the Michigan Department of Education at 517-241-5374. Below is the information for the SFSP in your community:
     
    Nearby Locations for Meet Up and Eat Up include:
     
    Edgewood Village Apartments
    6213 Towar Garden Cir
    Monday-Friday 1:15PM-1:45PM
    Serving 6/10-8/16
    Contact: 517-755-1000
     
    Donley Elementary School
    2961 E. Lake Lansing Rd
    Mon-Thurs 8:15-9:15am and 12:30-1:30PM
    Serving 6/10-7/25
    Contact: 517-333-7424
     
    Red Cedar School
    1110 Narcissus Dr.
    Mon-Thurs 8:15-9:15am and 12:30-1:30pm
    Serving 6/10-7/25
    Contact: 517-333-7424
     
    Here is a link to the meet up eat up map where you can search all of the meet up and eat up locations: https://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/schoolnutrition/

     

     

    Meal Program Information 2024-2025 - 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. 

     

     

    what makes a meal

     

    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. 

     

     

    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.