WJCC School Lunch Prices Rise

By Amber Lester Friday, September 03, 2010

Williamsburg-James City County schoolchildren will need a little more cash when they approach the cafeteria lunch counter Tuesday.

School lunch prices will rise five cents to cover the increasing price of food. Lunch for elementary and middle schools will cost $2.05 and $2.15. Lunch for high school students will cost between $2.30 and $3.50. A carton of milk will cost 55 cents.

In addition, the division has announced its free and reduced lunch policy for the school year. Household size and income will determine eligibility for free or reduced price meals. Children from households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) may be automatically eligible for free meals.

Children who are homeless, migrant or runaways may also be automatically eligible for free meals. Foster children are also eligible benefits, no matter the income of their placement household. The foster child’s eligibility is determined by his or her income. Children from households participating in WIC may also be eligible for free or reduced-price meals, based on the household’s income.

To apply for free or reduced price meals, households must fill an application and return it to the school division. Applications can be submitted throughout the school year, and may be verified at any time during the school year by the school or other program officials. Families receiving benefits through SNAP or TANF only have to list their children’s names and case number on the form, which then needs to be returned to the division with an adult’s signature.

Households not receiving SNAP or TANF benefits must list the names of all household members, the amount and frequency of each member’s income, and the social security number of the applicant who signs the form. SNAP and TANF households must complete an application if they are not notified of automatic eligibility within the first 10 days of the school year.

A Child Nutrition Services accounting associate will review applications and determine each household’s eligibility for free or reduced meals. Households who are notified of eligibility but wish not to receive benefits must contact the school. Households who wish to contest an eligibility determination can discuss the decision with the official informally or make a formal appeal by writing to Jane C. Haley, SNS, 597 Jolly Pond Road, Williamsburg, 23188 or calling 565-3838.

Application forms are being distributed to all households, but are also available at the principal’s office and the central office.