OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9, every Oskaloosa Schools student will be able to eat breakfast at school for no cost, regardless of household income.
The Oskaloosa Board of Education unanimously approved the free breakfast program Tuesday, Sept. 8, on a 7-0 vote. The district estimates that the free breakfast program will cost approximately $30,000 annually. These costs will be covered entirely by the district’s Nutrition Fund, which is supported by federal funds designated for school nutrition programs. No General Fund dollars or classroom spending will be used to support the program.
The decision follows a successful two-week pilot during ISASP testing last school year. During the pilot, Oskaloosa Schools served 4,766 breakfasts, a 38% increase in participation. Teachers were also surveyed during the trial, with feedback about the program overwhelmingly positive.
The district’s goal is straightforward: make sure students have the opportunity to begin the school day fed and ready to learn.
The district is able to offer the program because its Nutrition Fund is currently in a strong financial position. The success of Oskaloosa’s summer meal program, including a partnership with United Way of Mahaska County, has helped strengthen the fund.
Nutrition Fund dollars are restricted and may only be used for allowable nutrition-related expenses. They cannot simply be transferred to other areas of the district. Providing breakfast at no cost allows Oskaloosa Schools to use available nutrition resources directly for students while continuing to invest in its food service program.
The district plans to invest approximately $250,000 in kitchen equipment and appliances during the next five years. Even with those planned investments, district officials anticipate the Nutrition Fund will remain in a position to support the breakfast program.
Free breakfast will be available to all students, regardless of whether they qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The district will continue receiving applicable meal reimbursements while covering the remaining breakfast costs through the Nutrition Fund.
Students will go through the breakfast line as they normally do and will need to bring or know their student ID. No other changes are required.
Families should continue completing the district’s free and reduced-price meal application. The new program applies only to breakfast. There are no changes to lunch prices or the district’s existing lunch program.
The district will review the free breakfast program annually. Participation, reimbursements, expenses and the Nutrition Fund balance will all be considered when determining whether the program can continue in future years. Free breakfast is not being presented as a permanent commitment if financial conditions change.
The initiative supports the district’s vision of “Love. Empower. Inspire” by helping remove hunger as a potential barrier at the beginning of the school day.
Free breakfast began Wednesday, Sept. 9, at all Oskaloosa Schools.