Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) supports student health and achievement by ensuring that all DCPS students receive nutritious meals that support academic success. We believe in providing appetizing school meals made from fresh, locally produced ingredients, and we strive to engage the entire DC community in implementing programs that encourage healthy decision-making and promote sustainable practices. Meal services are provided by DC Central Kitchen, DCPSEats!, and SodexoMagic.
DCPS participates in the following Child Nutrition Programs through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as administered by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE): National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and Seamless Summer Option.
SY 22-23 Meal Program Updates
We are excited to welcome your student back for a new school year, beginning August 29 for K-12 students and September 1 for Pre-K students. As we prepare to start the school year strong, we have an important update for families on school meals.
NEW FOR THIS YEAR | With the expiration of COVID-19 waivers put in place by USDA, DCPS Food & Nutrition Services must resume charging for meals at schools that are not certified for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) starting in school year 22/23. Breakfast remains free to students at all DCPS schools; the lunch price is $3.00 at non-CEP schools; and afterschool meals (provided at applicable schools) are universally free. All meals are served at no charge to students at CEP schools.
For students who do not attend a CEP School, to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price lunches this school year, please go to http://dcps.dc.gov/farm to complete the Free and Reduced Meal (FARM) application.
If your student does not qualify for free lunch you can add funds to your students’ meal account, please visit www.myschoolbucks.com.
We believe everyone deserves to be heard. Please submit feedback, comments, or questions to Food and Nutrition Services.
Interested in speaking with one of our five Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) on staff, who are the leading experts in food and nutrition? Email us at AsktheRDN@k12.dc.gov. We look forward to connecting with you and your family!
Join the DCPS School Food Collaborative! The School Food Collaborative is a joint initiative of DCPS Food and Nutrition Services and DC Greens. Since the Spring of 2017, we have convened over 700 community stakeholders including parents, students, educators, and other invested community members and organizations in order to collect feedback and input on the state of school meals. If you are interested in receiving the DCPS School Food Collaborative quarterly newsletter, sign up here.
DCPS Food and Nutrition Service Contact Information
Food and Nutrition Services Department
food.dcps@k12.dc.gov
(202) 299-2159
Robert Jaber
Executive Director
robert.jaber@k12.dc.gov
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
District of Columbia Human Rights Act