Schools across the United States offer meals that meet USDA reimbursable guidelines. These meals are priced as a unit, and we receive federal and state reimbursement to help offset costs.

💡 Tip: Encourage your child to select a complete meal to get the best value!

🍽️ What Makes a Reimbursable Breakfast
To qualify as a reimbursable breakfast, students must select at least 3 components, including at least ½ cup of fruit or vegetable.

Breakfast Components:

• 🥛 1 serving of Milk (½ pint)

• 🍊 1 serving of Fruit or 4 oz. Juice

• 🍞 1–2 servings of Grain/Meat/Meat Alternate (includes the daily entrée)

Example:
Menu Items:

• Cereal

• Yogurt

• Orange Slices

• Milk

Student Selects✅ Cheerios ✅ Orange Slices ✅ Milk
✅ This is a reimbursable breakfast!

🍽️ What Makes a Reimbursable Lunch?
To qualify for the USDA reimbursable meal rate, students must select at least 3 of the 5 meal components, and one of those must be a fruit or vegetable (at least ½ cup).

✅ Lunch Components:

• 🥛 Milk (½ pint)

• 🍎 Fruit

• 🥦 Vegetable

• 🍞 Grain

• 🍗 Meat/Meat Alternate

💡 Why It Matters:
If a student selects fewer than 3 components, or does not include a fruit or vegetable, we are required to charge for each item separately, as the meal does not meet USDA guidelines.

Examples:
Menu Items:

• Hamburger Patty

• Whole Grain Rich Bun

• Romaine Lettuce and/or Tomato Slices

• Seasoned Curly Fries

• Fresh Apple Slices

• Milk

Student Selects✅ Hamburger ✅ Bun ✅ Milk
⚠️ This is not a reimbursable meal because the student did not select at least ½ cup of fruit or vegetable, as required by USDA guidelines.

Student Selects✅ Hamburger ✅ Bun ✅ Curly Fries ✅ Milk
✅ This is a reimbursable lunch!