During school age years, proper nutrition can reinforce lifelong eating habits that contribute to a student’s overall well being. This can help them grow and learn to their fullest potential and then go on to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Intermediate District 287 provides a healthy breakfast and lunch to students each day. For the 2021-22 school year the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allowing schools to provide all meals to students at no cost to families.
Students must select a complete meal for the meal to be counted as a free meal. At breakfast a complete meal consists of 3 of the 4 offered food items and must include a juice or a fruit. At lunch a complete meal consists of 3 of the 5 offered food components and must contain a fruit or vegetable.
Milk and a la carte items will be available for purchase. Students selecting milk only to have with a meal brought from home, must purchase milk. A la carte offerings vary by site. However, we are unable to accept cash or check at this time. Please make online payments into your student(s) meal account at www.paypams.com for any purchases they plan to make.
Meals are free for all students for the 2021-22 school year, and no application is required to receive this free meal benefit. However, families should still complete the application for educational benefits to qualify for other benefits:
Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) (a federal temporary emergency nutrition benefit that is loaded onto electronic cards for families to purchase food). USDA has not yet announced if P-EBT benefits will be available in the 2021-22 school year.
Possible reduced rates for middle and high school activities in your home district
Compensatory funds for the District to reduce class sizes, provide counseling and social work services, and hire specialists
Reduced AP testing and college application fees
You may apply online at https://paypams.com/OnlineApp.aspx or complete the Application for Educational Benefits and return your completed Application for Educational Benefits to:
Intermediate District 287 – Food Service
1820 Xenium Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55441