Good Afternoon Region 14 School Community, 

I would like to update you on the district’s Food Service Program. Congress did not renew the funding and waivers that allowed Region 14 to provide free lunch to all students during the COVID-19 pandemic through the National School Lunch Program. As a result, we had communicated to you earlier in the summer and fall, meals served at our schools would need to be paid for again during the 2022-2023 school year.

The Connecticut State Department of Education, in an effort to slow the transition to paid lunches in Connecticut schools, announced the availability of “SMART” funds to Connecticut school districts that temporarily sustained free meals for as long as the funds were available. Region 14, specifically, has been awarded over $230,000 in funds.  We do anticipate these funds will be available until the end of December 2022. We anticipate Region 14 will start paid meals January 3, 2023. The Region will continue to send out communications to keep parents/guardians updated for any changes.

The Board of Education has approved the following meal rates for the 2022-2023 school year upon the liquidation of the CSDE SMART funds:

                                                                               Lunch                   Breakfast

Elementary School:                                             $2.95                    $1.50

Middle/High School:                                            $3.30                    $2.00

In an effort to fully maximize the SMART funds that have been awarded to Region 14, we need your help completing a free or reduced meal application, where applicable. The use of SMART FUNDS for lunches only apply to students who are not eligible for free lunch. Therefore, if you believe that you may be eligible for free lunch based on income or enrollment in other State or Federal assistance programs such as SNAP, FDPIR, Head Start, WIC, unemployment compensation, or TANF or if you foster a child, homeless or runaway, we encourage you to complete and return the form to your child’s school as soon as possible.

Link to application: 

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1658422566/region14/dqbxk4vnrxbtvl3onn5z/FreeandReducedPriceMealApplication2022-2023.pdf

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Tina Tanguay, Director of Finance and Operations at 203-263-4330 or ttanguay@ctreg14.org.

Sincerely,

Brian Murphy

Superintendent of Schools