Cherokee School Nutrition Announces Plans For School Year

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Cherokee County School District’s School Nutrition department is beginning the new school year with announcements including that it will continue to provide breakfasts and lunches to all students at no cost, for the entire 2021-22 school year.

Continued USDA funding will allow for the department to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to students attending school in person and to distribute to-go meals at no cost to students learning at home and all non-Cherokee County students ages 0-18. The prior announcement noted that this funding might be discontinued should the National State of Emergency end before the end of the school year, but USDA has confirmed the funding for the district will continue through the end of June.

It remains important that all families who think they would otherwise qualify for free and reduced price meals to complete the online form as soon as possible. Families should fill out one form and list all of their children ages 0-18 on the one form. If you prefer to fill out a paper form, let your child’s school know; staff at the school also can assist you with completing the form. These forms help the district earn federal funding to provide schools with additional teachers and support staff, academic instructional resources, and technology and internet access. These forms also help students qualify for SAT, ACT and AP test scholarships and college application fee discounts.

To-go meal distribution

Cherokee Schools' summer break to-go meals pick-up schedule ends July 26. The district will begin its school year meal pick-up schedule on Monday, Aug. 2, for digital learning students and any non-Cherokee County students ages 0-18 who would like to receive a to-go meal bag of five breakfasts and lunches at no cost to them. The district will email digital learning students’ parents an order form on Thursday mornings, beginning July 29, that will be due by 8 a.m. Fridays. Parents of non-Cherokee County students ages 0-18 can use the order form that will be posted online. Pick-up locations will be at all district schools, and a schedule will be included in the email and on the website.

Lunch Buddies program

The district’s award-winning school nutrition department also is continuing another program started last school year: lunch buddies. If your child prefers to eat a lunch from home, be aware that they also can benefit from the USDA grant funding. Students can receive a portion of fruit, a grain-based side item, and a carton of milk at no cost to enjoy along with their lunch from home through the lunch buddies program. All students need to do is come through the lunch line, select their three items and enter their cafeteria ID; the items will be recorded in their account, but they will not be charged.

Ordering à la carte and extra menu items

Students can continue to purchase à la carte and extra menu items, like a second entree or additional sides, for a fee. When they enter their cafeteria ID at the cashier station, they will be charged for this extra items, but they will not be charged for the regular breakfast or lunch. If you want your child to be able to make these purchases, check the balance on their account and add funds as needed throughout the school year. You can track their no-charge meals and their extra purchases through this website.

For more information about Cherokee County's school nutrition, visit online, or contact 770-721-8419 or email Paula.Hilton@cherokeek12.net.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.