Start applying for the USDA Free/ Reduced School Lunch Program

The USDA free/reduced-price lunch program can save a family up to $466 per child attending Department of Defense Dependents Schools every year. The USDA School Lunch Program is offered at all KMC schools and is designed to meet federal requirements for nutritiously balanced meals and offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible children. Families need to apply annually for the program; applications for school year 2015-2016 will be accepted starting July 1.

Eligibility for receiving free or reduced-price meals at school is based on total family income and household size. When determining income eligibility, COLA and housing are not included as income.

For example:

• An E-7 with 14 years of service and a total household size of four (sponsor, spouse and two children) would qualify for the reduced-price lunch program providing there is no additional income in the household.

• An E-8 with 20 years of service and a total household size of five (sponsor, spouse and three children) would qualify for the reduced-price lunch program, again providing there is no additional income in the household.

The current price of reduced lunch is 40 cents versus the full price of $2.55 for secondary meals; this is a possible savings of $375.15 per child during the course of the school year.

Applications are accepted throughout the school year by the 86th Mission Support Group school liaison office.

The application form, USAFE400, may be obtained at any of the KMC Schools, school liaison offices or downloaded at http://www.e-publishing.af.mil.

To learn about eligibility guidelines, visit http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-03-31/pdf/2015-07358.pdf.

For lunch menus or to find out more about the AAFES lunch program, visit http://odin.aafes.com/nutrition.

For more information contact the school liaison offices at Ramstein or at Pulaski Barracks.