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By Tanner Lange

Director of Food and Nutrition

As we look forward to spring, sunshine, and the end of another school year, we also think of summer meals for our students.  Austin Public Schools will once again be offering free breakfast and lunch to all kids ages 1-18. This is a federally funded program designed to assure nutrition is available to children when school is not in session.

The guidelines require kids to eat on site and meals will not be allowed to leave the cafeterias.  This can be a fun time for kids to socialize with their friends while having a nutritional meal.

Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Meals will be available for purchase for those older than 18 years.

This year we will be offering free breakfast and lunch to all children ages 1-18 at the following sites:

Community Learning Center at Woodson

1601 4th Street SW

Serving Dates: June 2 – Aug. 8

Serving Days: Monday – Friday

Breakfast: Served from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Lunch: Served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Southgate Elementary School

1601 19th Avenue SW,

Serving Dates: June 2 – July 31

Serving Days: Monday – Thursday

Breakfast: Served from 8-9 a.m.

IJ Holton Intermediate School

1800 4th Avenue SE

Serving Dates: June 2 – July 31

Serving Days: Monday – Thursday

Breakfast: Served from 8-9 a.m.

Lunch: Served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

                         

Austin High School

401 3rd Avenue NW

Serving Dates: June 2 – July 31

Serving Days: Monday – Thursday

Breakfast: Served from 8-9 a.m.

Lunch: Served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

No meals are served at any sites on June 19 and July 4

Remember, hungry kids do not learn to their potential.  Our goal is to take away as many barriers as we can for students.  Please join us in helping our kids have a healthy, happy summer and prepare them for a successful return to school in the fall.

Additionally, in March of 2023, Gov. Tim Walz signed the universal school meals bill which will provide lunches to all APS students free of charge.

While this is a huge boon for our students and families, it is important to remember that much of our school district’s funding is based on the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced priced meals by filling out the Alternate Application for Educational Benefits. After July 1 , 2025 applications for the 2025-2026 school year can be completed. This application can be filled out on-line at https://austinmn.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/austin.jsp. It is imperative that families still fill out the proper paperwork, so our funding remains consistent.

A couple of programs that can be affected by these percentages include Title I and Targeted Services, both of which offer enrichment to students. A lower percentage could also limit grants for field trips.

Students in grades 7-12 who participate in sports and activities can do so at a free or reduced rate if they qualify for free or reduced priced lunches. It is important to fill the applications out in a timely matter, so that when it comes time to register for these activities, your status will already be in the system.  This will make the registration process fast and easy.

As you register your student this year, please make sure to complete the application for free and reduced priced meals.  We so appreciate the time and effort!  It is so important for our funding, which is what drives our programming, which makes our students successful.  Thank you in advance, and we’ll see you in the lunch line!