The switch to free lunches and breakfasts for every Brookfield school student, which started this year, has resulted in a huge uptick in the meal count, said district Treasurer Jordan Weber.
In September of 2023, the lunch program served 7,884 lunches. This September, it served 11,672 lunches, an increase of 48 percent, he said.
“The numbers, they have gone up dramatically,” Weber told the school board Oct. 16. “That’s huge for a lot of reasons. Kids are taking advantage of free meals.”
The switch to free meals for all was made after the state of Ohio changed the criteria by which students qualify for free and reduced-price lunches, Weber said.
He noted cafeteria workers are even offering free items to students who bring their own lunches.
As a side benefit, the school can provide boxed lunches for field trips and other activities that take students away from school.
“Obviously, that’s a little trickier when you have some kids who might be paying, some kids who are reduced, some are free,” Weber said.
Officials provide a roster of who will be participating in the field trip and the cafeteria staff packs up lunches for them.
“Parents don’t have to worry about food for field trips,” Weber said.
