FEB. 28, 2023 — Due to the Federal Free Meal Program, created to feed children at school during the peak of the pandemic, and higher than average reimbursement rates related to the program, an audit determined that the District’s Food Service budget carried an excess fund balance.
 
In January, the District submitted a plan to pay down the fund balance, which the State Education Department’s Office of Child Nutrition recently approved.
 
As a result, and effective March 1, Midlakes schools will offer a full menu of free breakfast and lunch to all students through the end of the current academic year (June 2023). These funds can only be used for certain expenditures relating to our Food Services Department and not for other areas of our District.
 
Families having any questions regarding this change, may contact Director of Food and Nutrition Jil Swarthout at (315) 548-6415 or jswarthout@midlakes.org.