New Eligibility Guidelines Announced for Free/Reduced School Lunches Published May 9, 2007 By DoDEA Press Releases INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The Department of Defense Education Activity is encouraging families of children attending its overseas schools to reapply for free and reduced price school lunches. Earlier this year, DoDEA requested an increase in the reimbursement rate USDA provides for school lunches. The USDA approved the request and also authorized the use of less stringent guidelines in determining which families may participate in the program. As a result, more families may qualify under the new guidelines. The meal rates depend on number of household members and annual income. Please refer to www.fns.usda.gov for specific reduced and free meal eligibility guidelines. This change applies to families of children attending DoDEA schools overseas in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Azores, Turkey, Cuba, Korea, Japan, and Okinawa. It does not include families of children attending DoDEA schools in Puerto Rico or Guam who fall under their State Department of Education programs. The school lunch program is designed to meet federal requirements for nutritionally balanced meals and to offer free or reduced price lunch and breakfast (where available) to eligible children. Families can apply for eligibility to participate in the free and reduced price school lunch program by completing an application available at the school or schools liaison office. Installation commanders operate and maintain the program by providing instructions on how to apply for the program; determining eligibility of applicants and maintaining and updating a list of students enrolled in the program. The point of contact for the School Lunch Program at Incirlik is Pam Chatham at 676-3750/3240.