The Fort Dodge Community School District released a statement Friday regarding the USDA food program in its schools. Below is that statement.

The USDA recently extended the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Due to this extension, beginning Monday, September 14, the Fort Dodge Community School District will be providing free breakfast and lunch to all students. The program is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2020, or when funds run out, whichever happens first.

All students enrolled in the Fort Dodge Community School District are eligible for free breakfast and lunch. The District will serve students attending onsite at all buildings. At Home learners are able to reserve and pick up the free meals using our online reservation system which is emailed to families with students learning at home each Monday. Meal distribution for At Home learners takes place from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the north parking lot of the middle school. When students pick up lunch they will also receive breakfast for the following day.

When funds run out, the District will go back to the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs and students will be charged according to their eligibility. For now, the free meals will be the only option for school lunch, other than students bringing their own lunch from home.