Breakfast, lunch available at no cost to students

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

No child attending school in Lee County will go hungry this school year

Once again, when students return on Aug 10 they will receive a free breakfast and lunch throughout the 2023-24 school year, including at The Sanibel School on Sanibel

“Our priority has always been and will continue to be student focused They are the heart of our business,” Food and Nutrition Services Director Kandy Messenger said “Providing meals to all of our students at no cost for them is vital to their ability to learn A child cannot learn if they are hungry ”

Due to the overall economic need in Lee County, the

School District of Lee County has qualified for the Community Eligibility Program since 2017 With the district qualifying for the program, every student in the district's 82 traditional schools, as well as the four special centers, will receive free meals

“To produce a meal the average cost is $3.98 per plate,” Messenger said “The reimbursement from the federal government helps us cover the cost of doing business so we are able to provide meals to our students It is my responsibility to ensure that we are fiscally responsible and stay within the budget to operate The department is self-funded meaning that we do not ask for money from the general fund, we have to earn the money to run the operation ”

Last year, the district served 3,627,806 meals for break- fast, 7,408,476 meals for lunch, 271,938 after school snacks and 399,001 supper meals

“We are hopeful that we will increase the number of meals served this school year There are menu changes and new food items coming for the students to enjoy school meals,” she said.

This year the menu will include such new breakfast items as a breakfast pizza and breakfast ham and cheese croissant The new lunch menu items include pizza crunchers, buffalo mac and cheese, enchilada lasagna and a burrito rice bowl

Parents can view the menu daily under the School District of Lee County's Food and Nutrition Services at leeschools net