NEXCOM announces changes to its lunch program for military children

The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) announced that the price for school lunches at all Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools it manages outside the continental United States, including Guam, will increase $0.25 for the 2019 - 2020 school year.

“NEXCOM provides school meals on a nonprofit, break-even basis, for the DoD Student Meal Program,” said Christina Kepa, NEXCOM Student Meal Program Specialist. “However, due to significant cost increases to run the overseas program, a gradual cost increase has been necessary. Providing a nutritious breakfast and lunch is our top priority and we will continue to offer quality nutritional meals that contain whole grains, lean proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables and low-fat milk.”

Breakfast prices for all grades will be $1.75. The lunch price for elementary and secondary students’ meals, including those in Iwakuni, will be $3.25 and $3.50 respectively. Per federal guidelines, families qualifying for the Free and Reduced Meal Program will still pay $.40 per meal.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (Public Law 111-296) requires DoDEA schools, as participants in the USDA meal program, to raise paid student lunch prices to a level comparable to the rates used for USDA reimbursement. To meet this requirement, prices in schools outside the continental United States will be gradually increased through the 2020-2021 school year.

The DoD Student Meal Program meets the same USDA guidelines as schools in the continental United States by providing meals that have the required nutrients for children. For more information on the DoD School Meal Program visit www.myNavyExchange.com/smp.