Canyons District is taking steps to ease the transition for families as America’s free school meal program ends.
When families replenish their meal accounts this year, they’ll do so exclusively online — a convenience that will reduce costs and make it possible for Canyons to keep meal prices low.
“There will be no price increase this year. We’re doing everything we can to shield families from the strain of rising food costs,” said Canyons Nutrition Services Director Sebasthian Varas. “We, too, are having to find creative ways to absorb those costs while also facing a worker shortage, which is making it difficult to hire the people we need to handle cash payments. Moving fully online was a natural solution to both challenges.”
This coming fall, schools nationwide will resume charging for breakfast and lunch, due to the expiration of a federal waiver that allowed for all meals to be free. The U.S. Department of Agriculture waiver was put into place as a form of emergency relief during the pandemic and expired in June.
Now, families will apply to receive free or reduced-price meals like they did before the pandemic. This can be done during back-to-school registration, which starts on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.
“We encourage families to apply even if they aren’t sure if they’re eligible,” Varas said.
Canyons has been accepting online payments for some time through its Skyward Family web portal, the same tool that families use to register for school. Many families already pay online. For those who are new to online payments, the District has created this short tutorial:
Adults will use the same payment system to purchase school meals. Canyons’ summer meal program, which runs through July 29, will remain free of charge. Per federal requirements, students at the following Community Eligibility Program schools will receive free meals year-round without having to apply for free and reduced-price waivers: Copperview Elementary, Midvale Elementary, East Midvale Elementary, Midvalley Elementary, and Midvale Middle.
Elementary schools this year will charge $2 for lunch, and middle and high schools will charge $2.25. The price for breakfast is $1 at elementary schools and $1.25 at middle and high schools.
Curious what’s on the menu? Bookmark this link and check it each week to find out what’s cooking at your child’s school.