Parents Can Apply for Lunch Program

Families eligible for free or reduced price meals at Simi Valley schools are encouraged to apply for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program when school starts Sept. 5.

The school lunch program is designed “to keep children fed with a sound, nutritious balanced lunch that is supported by the federal and state governments,” explained Judy La Rossa, the school district’s director of food services. “With nutritious meals, they should be able to concentrate and learn better.”

The 21,000-student Simi Valley Unified School District has participated in the program for about 30 years, she said. Last year, about 3,800 families received free or reduced-price meals.

Although families can apply for the program year-round, she said, it is traditional to apply at the beginning of the school year. Simi Valley schools typically send applications home during the first few weeks of school.

Simi Valley boasts the least expensive meals in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, she said. Full-price school lunches cost $1.35 daily in elementary and secondary schools; the reduced price for all ages is 40 cents. For elementary students, a regularly priced breakfast is 65 cents; the reduced price is 30 cents. For secondary students, breakfasts usually cost $1.20 and the reduced cost is 30 cents.

Families that receive food stamps, Aid to Families with Dependent Children or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations assistance are automatically eligible for the program.

Generally, a family of two with an annual income of $13,468 or less is eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts.

For more information, call the food services office at (805) 520-6515.