When schools initially closed in March, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a waiver for school systems to convert to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which offers meals to all children under the age of 18. The waiver allowing schools to operate the SFSP was not extended, and, as a result, school systems across the country are required to transition from the current SFSP back to the traditional School Meals Program (SMP) on their first official day of school. For Calvert County Public Schools, this means the SMP will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Please note the SMP requires children to be actively enrolled as CCPS students in order to participate. Students do not have to be present for meal pick-up; however, parents and guardians must have their children’s student ID number and have completed the registration process described below.
Households that wish to participate in the SMP Grab ‘n Go Program will need to contact the Child Nutrition Office to complete a brief one-time registration process no later noon on September 1, for meal distribution starting September 2. As this is a different meal program, ALL households will need to register if they wish to participate, even if they were registered for the summer program. During the registration process, households will be able to select their distribution site, confirm their meal status eligibility, and verify the correct number of CCPS student meal kits needed. Parents and guardians may call any of the following numbers Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to register their student(s): 443.550.8680, 443.550.8683, 443.550.8684.
Starting Sept. 2, students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meal benefits will receive meal kits at no cost. Students who are not eligible for meal benefits will be charged the paid meal price. While cash will be accepted at the distribution sites, any change will be deposited onto the student’s meal account. Funds may also be deposited onto student accounts via www.MySchoolBucks.com.
Households can apply now for free and reduced-price meal benefits. The application and instructions are available on the CCPS website https://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/ by following these steps: Click on
“Departments” > “Child Nutrition” > “Nutrition Program Information” > “Meal Benefit Application.”
Meal Benefit Applications will also be distributed electronically and may also be mailed to households by schools. If you have difficulty obtaining an application, please contact the Child Nutrition Office at 443.550.8680.
Grab ‘n Go style meal service will continue to be provided as long as distance learning continues, and families will be able to pick up a five-day supply of meals. The four current distribution sites will remain in operation on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Starting the week of September 21, service will be expanded to additional school locations, with days and hours to be determined. The current four sites are:
- Windy Hill Middle School Parking Lot (bus drop-off area)
9560 Boyds Turn Rd. Owings, MD 20736 - Calvert High School Parking Lot:
520 Fox Run Blvd. Prince Frederick, MD 20678
GPS Address:600 Dares Beach Rd. Prince Frederick, MD 20678 - Southern Middle School Parking Lot:
9615 H.G. Trueman Rd. Lusby, MD 20657 - Patuxent High School Parking Lot:
12485 Southern Connector Blvd. Lusby, MD 20657