August, 2005

Early Dismissal/Bag Lunches

     Several districts have contacted our office to obtain clarification on the correct way to handle the meal service operation when school ends at noon.  If the district offers a breakfast program, the students would receive breakfast as usual.  If it is possible for the school to move the lunch service times forward so that all students have the chance to obtain lunch before school is dismissed, this is a viable option.

     It is not allowable, however, for a school to claim meals served to students that will not be consumed on the premises.  Therefore, if school dismissal is scheduled before the normal lunch service hours, bag lunches can be prepared and claimed only if the students consume them before they leave the building.  Students should never be sent home with bag lunches that have been claimed for reimbursement.  Bag lunches containing all required food items of the meal pattern (including milk) can be claimed for reimbursement when the student is going to another educational environment such as BOCES.   For field trips, bag lunches meeting meal pattern requirements can be claimed as long as milk is offered as part of lunch, and a staff member records the meals on a roster so that a categorical count can be obtained.