‘I think it’s awesome!’: Bend-La Pine Schools provide free breakfast and lunch to students

(Update: Adding video, comments from students, district staff)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- This school year, thousands of Central Oregon students can get a free lunch and breakfast at school, easing their families' budget crunch. NewsChannel 21 looked Wednesday at what's on the menu, and where the funding comes from. 

"I think it's awesome!" Summit HS freshman Elliott Laws said. "I think it's way more accessible for people."

For the next four years, the Bend-La Pine district's 17,000 students qualify for free breakfast and lunch, through a federal program.

At Summit High School, the free meals program is gaining positive feedback from students.

Freshman Wilhelm Jamieson said, "I think it's great, because my parents don't have to spend money on food. So I can come in here, get my food and get done with my business."

Parents also don't have to fill out forms, and there are no income requirements for students to get the meals. 

On Wednesday's lunch menu: Corn dogs, nachos and salads.

School district Director of Nutrition Gerrra Schulter understands the impact.

"Meal prices have gone up in restaurants," she noted. "They I think will see it's nice that you don't have to worry about that, with it being all free, it really will help families out."

Students get the first serving free, and second breakfast entrée for elementary students can be purchased for $2.50 and for middle school and high school, it would be $2.75. For lunch, it would be an extra dollar. 

Freshman Evie Ferrari said, "I think it's nice because kids who like you might not have the money to get lunches. I mean, it's just like everyone can get it now."

Freshman Aaron Kanevsky said, "I know it's the first year that they're doing this program and I think it's really great that they're allowing students to have free meals."

Previously, the free meals were served at 22 of the districts schools but now it's all 33 with the addition of Summit. Pacific Crest Middle School, Cascade Middle School, and Miller Elementary. 

Freshman Waylon Mullins said, "I enjoy not bringing money to school, and that's kind of just a hassle to have money here, so I can just, like, take it and eat it - and I like that."

Daily menus, including nutritional information and allergens, can be found on the Bend-La Pine Schools website. If your child has a special dietary need, you can reach out to their school nurse.