School Meal programs play a vital role in the lives of children, impacting their health, well-being, and academic success. By providing access to nutritious meals, these programs combat hunger and food insecurity, ensuring that students have the energy and focus they need to learn effectively. Studies have shown a strong correlation between school meal participation and improved academic performance.

Furthermore, School Meal programs promote healthy eating habits in children. By offering balanced meals that meet nutritional guidelines, these programs encourage students to consume fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating. This not only benefits their physical health but also contributes to their cognitive development and overall well-being. School Meal programs are essential for creating a supportive learning environment and fostering the growth and development of healthy, successful children.

*** We also offer a free snack, 2 times a week for ages K-6th grade through our Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program Federal Grant. ***

Hansen School District uses the Heartlands Mosaic Lunch software for our school meal program management. Using Heartlands My School Bucks website or mobile app you can monitor and add funds to your students meal account.

My School Bucks allows you to Check Balances, Autopay, Low Balance Alerts, and see Purchase History. Below are instructions on how to create your account as well as links to the My School Bucks site where you can sign up today! If you need your students ID you can contact your school office.

Get Started Today:

1. Go to myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app

2. Create your free account and add your students using their school name / student ID

3. Add school items or invoices to your cart My School Bucks Site

4. Check out using your credit / debit card or electronic check
   A program fee may apply

If you need assistance with your account, you can find helpful how-to videos and answers to commonly asked questions by visiting myschoolbucks.com.

Beginning in August of 2023, all National School Lunch Programs (NSLP) across the country will be returning to “normal” operations as we were before March of 2020.

• Breakfast will still be free for all students, however, lunch will not be free to all students. This means households will need to complete a free and reduced applications to qualify for free or reduced meals. Students who do not qualify for free or reduced meals must pay full price for lunch. Those prices are posted above.

• Please complete an application by September 15th. Each year, eligibility statuses are given a 30-day carryover until a new application is completed. If you do not have a carryover status your student will start school as a paid student or until a qualifying application is received.

• You can complete an application by picking it up at your student's school location

For any further questions or information regarding school meals in school year 2023-24, please contact the food service office at 208-423-5593 ext 2260 or by email at crosa@hansenschools.org.

Free Breakfast Guidelines

POLICY 8220 - Noninstructional Operations (meal charging)

MEAL CHARGING: Students will be allowed to accrue charges for three meals. Food service staff will contact parents after three charges are accrued on a student account. Students needing to charge more than three meals will be served on a case by case basis.

A. All Applications qualified by income must have:
1. All household members listed
2. Income by household member, source & frequency that income is received (weekly, monthly, etc)
3. The last 4 digits of the SSN of the primary wage earner or adult who signs the application or box checked if they do not have a SSN
4. An adult household members’ signature.

B. All applications qualified by SNAP, TAFI or FDPIR number must have:
1. Name of the child receiving benefits, a correct benefit number and
2. An adult household member’s signature

ANNUAL INCOME COMPUTATION
Multiply:
WEEKLY income by 52
EVERY TWO WEEKS income by 26
TWICE MONTLY income by 24
MONTHLY income by 12