WUS FOOD SERVICES

GOOD NEWS! The State of Michigan Legislature has passed its budget and INCLUDED funding for school meals! Effective for the 2025-2026 school year, BREAKFAST and LUNCH are FREE to ALL Public School STUDENTS!

Last school year, students that enjoyed FREE MEALS from the school saved their families about $900 per student! FREE MEALS being included in the state budget is VERY big news for Wayland Union families!

While direction from the state regarding details within the budget is still forthcoming, we wanted to keep parents updated.

WHO:

ALL students attending Baker Elementary, Steeby Elementary, Dorr Elementary, Pine Street Elementary, Wayland Union Middle School, and Wayland Union High School (including CCA).

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR STUDENTS:

Students eating meals at school will not be charged for those meals. This includes one breakfast meal and one lunch meal EVERYDAY for each public school student. Only FULL MEALS are FREE due to dietary restrictions of the funding.

This benefit does NOT include a la carte purchases, entrée-only purchases, milk-only purchases, or second-meal purchases. These items will be charged to student lunch accounts and students need to have payment rendered either through available credit from their lunch account or via cash payment at the time of purchase. No student accounts will be allowed to go negative.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR FAMILIES:

Families saved about $900 last year per student that took advantage of these FREE MEALS throughout the school year! Save time and money by encouraging your student(s) to try breakfast and lunch at school!

ALL PARENTS ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE AN EDUCATION BENEFITS FORM:

Applications for the FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL PROGRAM not only provide added benefits for qualifying families, but also collect information needed to ensure the school receives state and federal funding for education programs. Without this information, Wayland Union Schools could lose important state funding for educational programs that benefit ALL students.

The state has simplified the application form for public school households! All public school families are now able to complete a simplified EDUCATION BENEFITS FORM to apply for the FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL PROGRAM.

Additionally, families that qualify for the program may qualify for additional benefits, some of which may include:

Summer EBT Benefits
Pay to Participate
Programs that provide Food Support
Programs that provide Field Trip Support
Programs that provide School Supplies
Potential Household Support for Internet

Applying for the FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEAL PROGRAM is optional, but all families are encouraged to apply every year. For more information about this program and how to apply, please see the section below.

The Free & Reduced Price Meal Program is a federally funded program that allows students of eligible households to receive FREE or REDUCED-cost meals at school.

Applying for this program is optional, but all families are encouraged to apply. Eligibility is based on household size and income level.

Families need to apply for this program each school year. It is most beneficial for families to submit a NEW application form at the beginning of the school year. However, forms are accepted all year long. Be sure to complete a NEW application form and submit it to your child's school for the 2025-2026 school year.

APPLICATIONS

Electronic Application Forms are online and can be found by selecting the MORE option from the Main Menu within the PARENT PORTAL. From there, select MEAL BENEFITS to complete the form and submit it electronically. This is the quickest and easiest way to submit a form.

Paper Application Forms can be obtained from any school office, but families are highly encouraged to submit an electronic application if at all possible. Paper forms can also be downloaded and printed via the WUS Food Services Department Website. Completed forms can be sent to the office of your child's school or mailed to the WUS Food Services Department:

WUS Food Services Department

893 E. Superior St.

Wayland, MI 49348

Once a family's application is processed, a notification letter will be mailed to the household that explains eligibility.

Questions? Please contact our office! We can explain the application process, eligibility criteria, and benefits. This is a terrific program and worth applying for!

Want to find your child's school menu? Click on the BIG APPLE icon to access menus through Nutrislice! Nutrislice houses all the menus for each school building throughout the district. The Nutrislice icon can also be found on the WUS Food Service Department website.

DID YOU KNOW?

Parents can filter out allergens for children with food allergies or sensitivities, find carb counts, and even print the menu when using the Nutrislice menu tools. These extra options can be found in the upper right hand corner of the screen when viewing your child's school menu through Nutrislice!

Please note that our staff may need to adjust menus when items become unavailable due to supply chain issues. We ask that parents and students remain flexible and patient with unexpected menu changes and substitutions.