Beginning Nov. 2, students at Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) overseas schools will able to receive free breakfasts (where offered) and lunches from USDA approved School Food Authorities operated by Marine Corps Community Services, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, and the Navy Exchange.  The school meal program operated for military students overseas, serves more than 2.6 million meals a year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently granted a waiver to the DoD School Food Authorities to provide free school meals through June 30. Families can elect to participate and receive a free reimbursable (subsidized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture) lunch and breakfast at participating schools and grab-and-go locations beginning Nov. 2.

Participants are required to have a DoDEA student ID number and student meal account through Marine Corps Community Services, Army & Air Force Exchange Service, or the Navy Exchange. No action is required to receive free school meals for students with an established school meal program account. Parents of those without an account, will need to create a school meal program account for their children in order for them to receive free school meals.  Meals purchased prior to implementation of the waiver (August through Oct. 31), will be credited to the appropriate student meal program account. The credit does not apply to adult meals, second meals, a la carte items or “lunch plus” purchases.

For additional information, including FAQs, parents can visit the school meal program site at https://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/school-lunch-program/.