D202, Aramark to offer free meals for all students in 2021-2022

District 202 students in kindergarten through 12th grade will automatically receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2021-2022 school year through Aramark, the district’s contracted food service provider.

Tony Arbogast, assistant superintendent of business and operations for District 202, said in a news release that the United States Department of Agriculture will pay for the meals. Parents or guardians do not need to register the students to receive the meals, he added.

However, District 202 won’t offer ala carte items to the students. This is to avoid long lines and ensure all students have time to eat, Arbogast said in the release.

Elementary students will receive two choices and middle and high school students will receive three, the release said.

Students who have food allergies or other dietary restrictions must know what foods they can and cannot eat. They must also review the menu and ingredients used with their parents.

District 202 students are scheduled to return to full-day, in-person learning on Aug. 18.

District 202 and Aramark began serving free meals in March 2020 when schools shut down due to the he pandemic. The district has since served 2,458,343 meals to District 202-area students ages 18 and younger, the release said.

To review the menus, visit psd202.schooldish.com/SchoolMenus.

For more information, call Drio Turcios at 815-577-4052 or Tamara Castaneda at 815-436-6270.