Believe it or not, school starts in Washoe County in just a few weeks, and Washoe County Nutrition Services is getting ready for the first day, August 11.
This includes free meals for schools. There are 68 schools where there is no application necessary. Those are community eligibility provision schools. Then there are 36 other schools where parents will need to apply for free and reduced meals.
It's the same process as last year, except they added Debbie Smith Academy to the program this year.
Parents can fill out applications online, or in person at the school if you don't have access to a computer.
The county encourages parents who are on the fence to apply anyway.
"The application stays with nutrition services in Washoe County School District," said Mike Supple, Assistant Director, Washoe County Nutrition Services. "So, we don't share that information with any other outside entities. So, whether they're unsure whether they qualify or not, go ahead and fill out the application."
Supple says if your child does qualify, kids use barcodes on student IDs or pin codes so it can remain secret. He also says over the years the need for free meals continues to grow.
"It was provision two, back then, we probably had 10 or 15 schools on provision two," Supple said. "When CEP came around, we started out with like 40 and now we're up to 68. So, there we've noticed over the years there's a greater need for folks."
A big change for this upcoming school years is the district is in a new partnership with a food vendor, Southwest Foodservice Excellence.
"They've presented some really exciting menus," Supple said. "And gradually, I think the students and parents will see changes in the breakfast and lunch meals at school."
