Alternative Education Center

Building Citizens. Promoting Success.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONTINUATION OF SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM

We have some exciting news to share!  This week the United States Department of Agriculture extended the Summer Food Service Program through December 31, 2020 or as funding allows.  The continuation of the Summer Food Service Program will allow Bedford County Public Schools and school divisions across the nation to continue to serve free meals to all children regardless of income.

BCPS will begin providing free breakfast and lunch to learners next week as the school year begins.  This benefit applies to those learners who are attending school in person and learners who have chosen the 100% remote Bedford Connects option.  Please be advised that the first day that a learner has access to meals is whatever day that is scheduled as their first school day.

Elementary school buildings begin on Tuesday, September 8^th

Middle school buildings begin on Wednesday, September 9^th

High school buildings begin on Thursday, September 10^th

There is a designated curbside pickup time at each school for the Bedford Connects learners.  Please refer to the curbside meal pick up information for details.  Please understand that pick up times and locations may change as we find out exactly how many families plan to participate with meal service. Families may pick up from the school closest to where they live.  Please be advised that curbside service will begin at elementary school buildings on Tuesday, September 8^th, at middle school buildings on Wednesday, September 9^th and at high school buildings on Thursday, September 10^th. 

A survey was sent to the families of our Bedford Connects learners, with a low return rate.  Since we do not have a clear picture of exactly how many Bedford Connects families may come to pick up meals, we ask for patience and understanding as we adjust.

If you plan to pick up meals for your Bedford Connects learner and they have any food allergies, please ensure that you share this information with the school nutrition curbside pickup staff members.

If you have already added funds to your child’s school meal account, please be advised that the funds will remain in place for future use.  USDA has not guaranteed any extension of the Summer Meals Program after December 31, 2020.  Unless they provide additional funding and another extension of the program, the school nutrition program will revert back to School Breakfast and National School Lunch guidelines in January and not all students will receive free meals. 

If you have not submitted a 2020-2021 free and reduced meal application, please be sure to do so.  If the Summer Food Service Program is not extended after December, you will need to have a current free and reduced meal application on file to qualify for meal assistance.  The preferred method of applying for free and reduced meals is online.  The online meal application can be found on the main BCPS webpage at bedford.sharpschool.net. 

We hope that this wonderful news will continue to help the families in our community!  The School Nutrition Program is looking forward to serving you in the upcoming school year!  If you have any questions pertaining to this information or any other meal service questions, please contact Karen Arthur, School Nutrition Supervisor at [email protected] or 540-586-1045 ext. 10224.