Meal Programs
What’s for Breakfast/Lunch?
If you have any questions, please contact Nutrition Services at (303)343-0295 ext. 28561
APS Help Desk: 303-340-0520 helpdesk@aurorak12.org
Lunch Program Information – Apply to APS Meal Assistance with link below
Vanguard lunch services support education by providing nutritious quality meals for children. Vanguard prepares its own food on site has changed their menus to feature more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and meet new limits on calories, sodium and fat to be in compliance with the Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Vanguard also participates in the National School Lunch program.
The Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 updates the meal patterns and nutrition standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to align them with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This rule requires schools to increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat- free and low-fat fluid milk in school meals; reduce the levels of sodium, saturated fat and trans-fat in meals; and meet the nutrition needs of school children within their calorie requirements. These improvements to the school meal programs, largely based on recommendations made by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, are expected to enhance the health of school children, and help mitigate the childhood obesity trend.
Free and Reduced Information
It is incredibly important that ALL parents apply for free and reduced lunch as it helps the school procure funding through Title 1 grants. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, you should still apply. Not applying for free and reduced lunch greatly reduces Vanguard’s ability to acquire funding for the school year. A new form is required each year. Parents are responsible for lunches until the application is approved. Forms may be filled out on line or picked up at the front office and during the Meet and Greet. It takes approximately 4 weeks to receive approval.
Applications are available at payschoolscentral.com and only take about 10 minutes to complete. If you applied last year, click ‘Login’ to enter the site and apply again for the 2022-23 school year. If you are applying for the first time, click ‘Register’.
Families who require assistance completing the application may contact the Nutrition Services Department at 303-343-0295 or their child’s school.
Why are Free and Reduced Applications Important?
- If your child qualifies for free or reduced price lunches, they qualify for free or reduced price breakfasts at school, free or reduced field trip admissions, and even free or reduced school fees (does not include athletic fees).
- Your child and many others may receive other school benefits. The number of applications that are returned and approved can affect how much funding our school gets to help students meet academic benchmarks, including materials like books and computers.
Some parents are concerned about listing income amounts and social security numbers on the application. Any personal information you provide will not be shared. Free and reduced price meal applications are confidential. Your information will only be used to determine your child’s eligibility for the school meal programs. We cannot share your information without your written permission. Students who receive free and reduced price meals are not identified. No other students or staff will know who is and who is not receiving free or reduced meals.
MEAL PRICES
2022-23
ELEMENTARY & K-8 SCHOOLS
Lunch $2.90
Breakfast $1.60
**Reduced Breakfast Free
**Reduced Lunch Free
HIGH SCHOOLS
Lunch $3.00
Breakfast $1.75
**Reduced Breakfast Free
**Reduced Lunch Free
** ALL PK-12 grades who are eligible for reduced meals will receive breakfast and lunch free.
ADULTS
Adult Breakfast $2.50
Adult Lunch $4.35
ALL SCHOOLS
Reduced Breakfast Price Free
Reduced Lunch Price Free
Half Pint of Milk .75
½ pint of milk is included with each meal
Revised 8/5/21