Food Service

Welcome to the Food Services Department website for Canal Winchester Schools! At CW Schools, we know that food service is an important part of making sure our students are ready to learn and grow. We partner with Chartwells Educational Dining Services to provide students with nutritious meal options during the school day. 

For the 2024-2025 school year, all Canal Winchester Schools students will receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. The district has been approved to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, which makes this possible.

For the upcoming school year, all students can enjoy nutritious meals at no cost. This program helps ensure that every child has access to the food they need to stay focused and do their best in school. It's a big step towards supporting our students' overall well-being and creating a more equitable learning environment for everyone. 

The district qualifies for CEP based on the number of students in our district who qualify for free and reduced meals. About 45 percent of Canal Winchester students are eligible for free and reduced lunch. 

Offering free meals for all students through programs like the Community Eligibility Provision aims to increase the number of students who participate in school nutrition programs by reducing the stigma associated with receiving free meals. Schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of enrolled students who are eligible for free meals based on participation in other programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Need Families (TANF). 

Because all students are eligible for free meals, families do not need to complete the application for free and reduced meals for this school year. 

Here are some of the benefits of this program:

• All students get nutritious meals.
• Improved concentration and academic performance.
• Reduced food insecurity and stigma for children in our community.
• A more inclusive and supportive school environment.
• Increased participation in school meals, especially for students whose families narrowly miss the cut-off to qualify for free or reduced meal prices.
  
  For more details about free meals for the 2024-2025 school year, visit our FAQ for Families.