7 schools to offer free breakfasts, lunches on school days

11 alternative programs will also offer free, healthy meals through program

MADISON, Wis. — Seven Madison Metropolitan School District schools will start offering free, healthy school breakfasts and lunches on regular school days, according to a release.

The meals will be provided as part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Community Eligibility Provision program, officials said. The program will start at the beginning of the upcoming school year.

“We are pleased that we will be able to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students in some of our schools with the highest need,” MMSD Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham said in the release. “Through the CEP, we’ll be able to reduce the administrative burden on families and ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals.”

The schools that will be offering free breakfast and lunches for all students are Allis Elementary School, Falk Elementary School, Lakeview Elementary School, Leopold Elementary School, Mendota Elementary School, Sherman Middle School and Wright Middle School.

Alternative programs that will also be offering the free meals are East Neon, East Sail, Lapham – Innovative, Marquette – Innovative, LaFollette New Directions, Memorial On Track, Phoenix, Replay, West Neon, West Sail, and Work and Learn MATC.

“It means parents don’t have to fill out the paperwork. The schools and school districts don’t have to process the paperwork, and even the lunch lines will move faster,” MMSD Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Mike Barry said. “All children will be treated exactly the same as they move through the lunch lines.”

The district applied through the state Department of Instruction to be part of the program, according to the release. Students in schools that are not part of the CEP can still qualify and apply for the Free and Reduced Price Meal Program.