State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Ensures School Meal Assistance
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen and the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) are continuing to offer students nutrition assistance programs. The state administered National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) are federally funded by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Since 2020, the OPI sought and was granted waivers to provide lunch and breakfast school nutrition regardless of income eligibility. These federal waivers conclude at the end of this school year.
Beginning in June, SFSP will continue nutrition services without income eligibility requirements. SFSP sites may include pools, parks, community centers, or schools. Eligible sponsors include private or nonprofit schools, organizations, and local government agencies. No application is necessary; when children arrive at a community SFSP site, they receive a free meal. The OPI is accepting applications through April 29 for eligible site sponsors. Site sponsors are reimbursed at a set rate for meals served to children.
“We are appreciative of the many partnerships with Montana communities that provide our children and families’ nutrition during the summer,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “This summer program continues to serve all of our Montana students.”
When the 2022-23 school year opens, families will apply for free and reduced-price school breakfast and lunch meals based on income eligibility. Those families already receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or attending a school that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision do not need to apply for free and reduced-price school meals.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- fax:
(202) 690-7442 - email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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