DoDEA Students Overseas to Receive Free School Meals

Beginning November 2nd, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) and Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS), in conjunction with the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), will be serving free meals to all students enrolled at DoDEA schools overseas that are operated by one of the USDA approved School Food Authorities (AAFES, NEXCOM or MCCS).

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently granted a waiver to the DoD School Food Authorities to provide free school meals through June 30, 2021,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s senior enlisted advisor. “This is great news for our military families, especially during these challenging times.”

Families can elect to participate and receive free reimbursable (subsidized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture) meals at participating schools and grab-and-go locations beginning Nov. 2. Participants are required to have a DoDEA student ID number and student meal account through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, Navy Exchange or Marine Corps Community Services. No action is required to receive free school meals for students with an established school meal program account. Parents of those without an account are encouraged to create one in advance for their children at their local Exchange customer service.

School meals purchased prior to implementation of the waiver (August through Oct. 31), will be credited to the appropriate student meal program account. The credit does not apply to adult meals, second meals, a la carte items or “lunch plus” purchases.

For additional information, parents can visit the services’ school meal program sites below:

• AAFES
• NEXCOM
• MCCS