August 30, 2023
Subject: School Meals and Nutrition
Dear Students, Families, and Caregivers,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year! As we wrap up the first week of school, we wanted to remind everyone about the awesome school nutrition programs that are in place.
Every student who attends an elementary, middle, or high school in La Grande School District can get a free breakfast and lunch as part of the Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program. You do not need to fill out any forms for this. This program has been in place since 2021 and will continue at least through the next school year. You are welcome to bring home-packed lunches, but we wanted you to know that all students can eat for free.
In addition, all our elementary schools are part of the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program which provides a variety of interesting fruits and vegetables as a snack in classrooms several times a week.
As a bonus, LGSD also participates in the Farm to Child Nutrition Program which enables the district to purchase locally or regionally grown, harvested and processed foods to include in school breakfasts and lunches. Our Fall 2023 menus will feature beef from the Bingham Ranch in North Powder. Keep your eyes open for other tasty foods that showcase the unique flavors of our region.
If you would like more information about the LGSD Food Service Program, please visit: https://www.lagrandesd.org/page/lgsd-food-service.
If you would like some ideas for preparing healthy foods for lunches or other meals we recommend exploring the OSU Food Hero website, https://foodhero.org/ or the USDA My Plate website, https://www.myplate.gov/.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Meinhard, Food Service Manager