Jeffco Public Schools

Healthy School Meals for All

Thanks to the passage of Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) by Colorado voters, all students in Jeffco Public Schools who attend a school participating in the National School Lunch Program will now have access to healthy and nutritious meals at no cost, regardless of their income eligibility, starting the 2023-24 school year. A la carte items will be available for purchase, and money can be added to student accounts using School Café.

Despite meals being served at no cost for all students, beginning July 1, families are strongly encouraged to complete a Meal Benefits Application on School Café. Completing this application is one of the ways to be considered eligible for other potential benefits the district may offer (i.e. fee waivers). Please complete the form on July 1 or after. 

Instructions on how to complete a Meal Benefits Application

1. Log in to School Café or set up a new School Café account (you will need an account and may not complete an Application as a "Guest"). 

2. Once you log in, select Apply on the left side of the screen (under Benefits) and this will take you to the Meal Benefits Application.

Please note: 

• Only one application is required for all students in the household.
• All household income information provided through the Meal Benefits Application is strictly confidential and protected by law.
• Families who are receiving benefits through programs such as SNAP, TANF and FDPIR do not need to complete a Meal Benefits Application.

While online applications are preferred, paper applications will also be available starting July 1 of each year at the Food & Nutrition Services office located at 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO. You can visit the office Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Paper applications are also available at your student's school.

Families who are enrolled in SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, the Migrant Education Program, or other qualifying assistance programs might be directly certified for free meals in Jeffco. This information is automatically transferred to Jeffco Public Schools for school meal eligibility, and it is not necessary for families participating in these any of these programs to complete a Meal Benefits Application.
Additional meals may be purchased by a student, for a cost. Students may use cash, or money that has been added to their School Cafe account. Contact Lorena Gomez-Vazquez, Free & Reduced Lunch Specialist, Food & Nutrition Services at 303-982-6916 with questions about Meal Benefits Applications. 

Meal prices will cost the following:

• Elementary Breakfast: $2.25
• Secondary Breakfast: $2.50
• Elementary Lunch: $3.75
• Secondary Lunch: $4
• Adult Lunch: $5

What will meal service look like in 2023-24?

• Students will go through the line and eat in the cafeteria.
• Students will scan their district ID cards
  • Middle and high school student name badges will serve as their ID cards and elementary students will be provided ID cards at their school. 
• Menus will be posted on School Café, as well as in the schools.
• On School Café, you may also place restrictions on your student's account regarding what and/or how frequently they may purchase a la carte items.

Contact Erika Edwards, Director of Operations, Food and Nutrition Services at 303-982-6678 with questions about meal service. 

Benefits of completing a Meal Benefits Application:

• Schools receive important funding and resources based on the number of Meal Benefit Applications completed.
• School fee reductions
• While fee waivers or reductions in fees will vary from school to school, the following fees can be waived or reduced, based on eligibility:
  • Transportation
  • Technology
  • Outdoor Lab
  • Field Trips

Some schools will not accept a meal benefits application   

• Families will need to complete a separate Family Economic Data Survey application for any student who attends a school that does not provide food services through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
• The following schools will require a separate Family Economic Data Survey application for students:
  • Compass Montessori School (Golden and Wheat Ridge)
  • HOPE Academy at Collegiate
  • Jeffco Remote Learning Program (JRLP)
  • Jeffco Virtual Academy
  • Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen
  • Two Roads Charter School
• Please contact your student’s school for information on how to complete the Family Economic Data Survey application.
• Contact Katie Jeter, Director of Resources, Food & Nutrition Services, with any other questions regarding National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs or applications at [email protected].

The Jefferson area schools food pilot is a collaborative community project that brings a taste of home to school. 

During the 2023-24 school year, cafeterias at Edgewater Elementary, Lumberg Elementary and Jefferson Jr/Sr High School are serving family-inspired recipes once a week. These nourishing, home-styled meals are created with love from favorite recipes and reflect the culture of the Jefferson community.

Fresh, Local and Healthy

Many of the ingredients used in the new recipes are locally sourced, ensuring freshness, sustainability and support for our local farmers.

Community Voice Matters

Thank you to the community for their support in launching this pilot program to enhance school meals for students.

• Parent leaders from Jefferson school communities
• Edgewater Collective
• Jefferson County Food Policy Council
• Jefferson Education Support Professionals Association (JESPA)

Recipes

Check back to view the new recipes and make them at home.