Lunch Program

Child Nutrition Lunch Program

Looking Forward to 2023-2024 School Year UNIVERSAL FREE MEALS Free Grab and Go Breakfast and Lunch meal service will be available at our school site in the fall. Although all students receive free meals it is important to understand the federal government no longer provides funding for this option. It is very important for parents and/or guardians to complete and submit an application for free or reduced meals as soon as possible after July 1st in order for our school to receive reimbursement funds. You can complete the meal application online starting July 1, 2023 https://bridgescharter.vcoe.org/fsonline/Main/Login Free and Reduced applications will be accepted starting July 1, 2023. Please apply online following the link above. You can also pick up a paper application at the school office at: 1335 Calle Bouganvilla, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.

The Free and Reduced Application Income Form is used to collect household income data  for funding allocations for School Districts and Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT cards) eligibility. This information is required to determine supplemental and concentration grants under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCCF). Bridges Charter strongly requests all households complete the form to allow for the maximum state funding for our district. 

Child Nutrition Department will be serving delicious and nutritious meals to our students at our school site. Our sponsorship of the National School Lunch Program is in full compliance with the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.

National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in over 100,000 public and non-profit schools and residential childcare institutions. It provided nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to more than 31 million children each school day in 2012. In 1998, Congress expanded the National School Lunch Program to include reimbursement for snacks served to children in afterschool educational and enrichment programs to include children through 18 years of age.

The Food and Nutrition Service administers the program at the Federal level. At the State level, the National School Lunch Program is usually administered by state education agencies, which operate the program through agreements with school food authorities.

School districts and independent schools that choose to take part in the lunch program and breakfast program get cash subsidies and USDA foods from the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for each meal they serve. In return, they must serve meals that meet Federal requirements, and they must offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible children.

School meals and snacks must meet meal pattern and nutrition standards based on the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The current meal patterns increased the availability of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the school menu. The meal pattern’s dietary specifications set specific calorie limits to ensure age-appropriate meals for grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Other meal regulations limit sodium and fat.

Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the National School Lunch Program. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals. Parents are encouraged to complete an application for free meals either on paper or on-line.

For more information on the National School Lunch Program and all other Child Nutrition Programs, contact the California Department of Education.

Summer Lunch Program

Available: https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids
  In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.   Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
 
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

CDE Nutrition Website

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

Discrimination Complaint Form
Special Meal Request
Allergy and Special Diet Information
Child Nutrition Standards

Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accomodations

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