Eden Prairie schools to offer free meals for children living in the district

Eden Prairie Schools will offer free meals beginning Dec. 4 to families with children up to age 18 who live in the district – even if they don’t attend school in the district.

No income qualification is necessary and the program is open to all children. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program was initially scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2020. The program was recently extended until the end of this school year, according to the district’s website.

Families may request meals through the district’s website. Parents or guardians can pick up bagged food from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the family’s Eden Prairie school of choice on the last school day of each week.

Families with students at multiple buildings can arrange to make their weekly pick up at one location simply by notifying the district, according to Jason Mutzenberger, executive director of Business Services. Home delivery is also available at the family’s request.

Over 1,100 families have completed the online survey necessary to receive meals, Mutzenberger said. 

“Our job in food service is to try to nourish our kids and provide the food that’s necessary for them,” he said.

Parents or guardians should enter the first set of doors or the main entrance of each school to pick up meals. Those choosing Eden Prairie High School should go to the East Entrance (Door #13).

Masks and social distancing are required at all locations.

Forms required to receive free meals can be found at the Eden Prairie schools district website here.