Fairbanks Local School District

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Fairbanks Wellness Policy can be viewed online

FAIRBANKS LOCAL SCHOOLS today announced its 2026-2027 program year policy for free and reduced-price meals or free milk for students unable to pay the full price of meals or milk served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast, After School Care Snack or Special Milk Program.  Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party. The State of Ohio Budget for the school year 2026-2027 includes funding to cover the cost of reduced meals for breakfast and lunch. This provision allows schools to provide no cost meals to reduced-priced meal-eligible students.

The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used for determining eligibility.  Children from families whose annual income is at or below the Federal Guidelines are eligible for free and reduced price meals or free milk if the school participates in the Special Milk Program.

Application forms are being distributed to all homes in a letter to parents or guardians.  To apply for free and reduced-price benefits, households should fill out the application and return it to the school.  Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school.  A complete application is required.  Households which currently receive Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP, formally known as food stamps) or Ohio Works First (OWF) funds for a child must provide the child’s name, the SNAP or OWF case number and signature of an adult household member on the application.  Households which do not receive SNAP or OWF funds must provide the names of all household members, the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the adult signing the application or state “none” if the adult does not have a Social Security Number, the amount and source of income received by each household member, (state the monthly income) and the signature of an adult household member.  If any of this information is missing, the school cannot process the application.

FREE HEALTH CARE: Families with children eligible for school meals may be eligible for FREE health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs. These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse and more. Please call 1-800-324-8680 for more information or to request an application. Information can also be found on the web at http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm. Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card is already receiving these services.

The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.  To discourage the possibility of misrepresentation, the application forms contain a statement above the space for signature certifying that all information furnished is true and correct.  Applications are being made in connection with the receipt of federal funds.  Schools or other officials may check the information on the application at any time during the school year.  Deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject the applicant to prosecution under applicable state and federal laws.

Households will be notified of the approval or denial of benefits. 

Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the household’s income.  If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such meals or milk for them, contact the school for more information. Under the provision of the policy, Lorri Mowery, Director of Food & Nutrition will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian disagrees with the decision on the application or the result of verification, the decision may be discussed with the determining official on an informal basis. If a formal appeal is desired, the household has the right to a fair hearing. A fair hearing can be requested either orally or writing from:

Janel Chapman

Fairbanks Local Schools

11158 St Rt 38

Milford Center, Ohio 43045

The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.

 Households may apply for benefits at any time during the school year.  If a household is not currently eligible and if the household size increases or income decreases because of unemployment or other reasons, the family should contact the school to file a new application.  Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for free or reduced-price benefits if the family income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Smart Snacks in School Since July 1, 2014, the US Department of Agriculture’s Smart Snacks in School rules have required all foods and beverages sold separate from school meals to meet new nutrition standards. Often referred to as “competitive foods,” because they are sold in competition to the complete reimbursable school meal, these items include entrees, sides, snacks or drinks sold during the school day in vending machines, snack bars and a la carte lines. The rules do not apply to food and beverages brought from home or sold during non-school hours, weekends or at offcampus events (e.g. concessions during sporting events and school plays). Under Smart Snacks in Schools, competitive foods must: • Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product; or • Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; or • Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or • Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber). Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements: Calorie limits: Snack items: ≤ 200 calories Entrée items: ≤ 350 calories Sodium limits: Snack items: ≤ 230 mg (≤ 200 mg in 2016) Entrée items: ≤ 480 mg Fat limits: Total fat: ≤ 35% of calories Saturated fat: < 10% of calories Trans fat: zero grams Sugar limit: ≤ 35% of weight from total sugars in foods Nutrition Standards for Beverages: All schools may sell: • Plain water (with or without carbonation), no portion limit • Unflavored low-fat milk • Unflavored or flavored fat-free milk and milk alternatives (e.g. soy milk, lactose-free milk) • 100% fruit or vegetable juice and • 100% fruit or vegetable juice diluted with water (with or without carbonation), and no added sweeteners. Elementary schools may sell up to 8-ounce portions, middle/high schools up to 12-ounces of milk and juice. High schools may sell additional “no calorie” and “lower calorie” beverage options, including caffeinated beverages. Offerings may include no more than 20-ounce portions of calorie-free, flavored water (with or without carbonation) and other flavored and/or carbonated beverages that contain < 5 calories per 8 fluid ounces or ≤ 10 calories per 20 fluid ounces. High schools may also offer no more than 12-ounce portions of beverages with ≤ 40 calories per 8 ounces, or ≤ 60 calories per 12 ounces. Fundraisers: States may establish exemptions for items sold at infrequent fundraisers or bake sales. Local Flexibility: States and/or local schools have the flexibility to maintain or establish their own more stringent standards for competitive foods, as long as they meet the minimum federal standards.

May 12, 2026

Fairbanks Local School District has submitted our Summer EBT file to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), which administers Summer EBT meal benefits for eligible students.

Students who currently qualify for free or reduced-price meals through SNAP, OWF, or Medicaid will automatically receive their $120 Summer EBT benefit beginning on or after July 31, 2026.

Our district was required to submit a single file to ODJFS this year, which was completed on April 28, 2026. If your child does not already qualify through SNAP, OWF, or Medicaid and you believe your family may be eligible, you must complete a Summer EBT application through the Sun Bucks website.

Questions regarding eligibility or benefit distribution should be directed to ODJFS. For additional assistance, please visit the Sun Bucks Help & Support page.