Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Benefits
This fall, the Georgia Department of Health and Human Services issued Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits for the 2020-2021 school year – click here for DHS' P-EBT information and FAQ.
These benefits were provided to school-aged students in Georgia based on two factors:
- SY 2020-2021 school closures for a minimum of five consecutive days due to COVID-19
- Student economic data from approved USDA Free & Reduced National School Meals based on either an approved meal application, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility, or categorical-based migrant or homeless status
While the Georgia Department of Education partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services to provide Free & Reduced eligibility data, GaDOE does not administer the program and is not able to verify the status of students' benefits. If you need to confirm that your child was on the Free & Reduced meals eligibility list during the 2020-2021 school year, please contact your child's school. Additional P-EBT program eligibility questions should be directed to the
DHS P-EBT hotline: 855-501-Info (4636).
School Nutrition in the News!
Cherokee County Celebrates School Nutrition Hero Week
In honor of School Nutrition Hero Day on Friday, May 6, Cherokee County School Nutrition Director Tina Farmer organized a district-wide event to celebrate her school nutrition staff’s accomplishments and thank them for all their dedication. To the delight of the students, Farmer and her staff were dressed for the occasion in superhero masks and capes.
Cherokee County Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower and School Nutrition State Director Dr. Linette Dodson were on site at Clark Creek Elementary STEM Academy as guest “superhero servers” to join in on the fun. Dr. Dodson served coleslaw and strawberries on the line, while Dr. Hightower proved to be a tremendous supporter of School Nutrition as he encouraged the students to make their plates colorful with fruits and vegetables.
At Clark Creek, they are on a mission of “Building the Future…One Student at a Time.” A critical part of that mission is making sure each child has access to quality school meals. The school nutrition staff serves approximately 400 breakfasts and 800 lunches to their kindergarten through fifth grade students every day.
Cafeteria Manager Linda Page brings ten years of school nutrition experience to her role and has a clear pride in her staff and the work they do. The positive work culture they have developed at Clark Creek was evident. The staff displayed positive attitudes, excellent training, and great teamwork. The students faces lit up as the cashiers treated them with care and knew each of them by name.
“This is the best day ever” exclaimed one kindergarten student after seeing her favorite School Nutrition Professionals dressed in their superhero capes and masks.
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE
Taste of College Event at Thomas County Schools
Beef Medallions, Pork Loin, and Chicken Tikka Masala might sound like items you would find on a restaurant menu, but in one Georgia school district, these dishes all landed on school lunch trays in a single week.
Excitement was in the air in Thomas County Schools last week as the Thomas County School Nutrition Program celebrated their inaugural “Taste of College” event. Each day, Thomas County Central High School students got the chance to experience signature dining options from a different one of five Georgia colleges: Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and University of Georgia. The goal of the event was to help students get excited about future opportunities and weigh their options when deciding the best college for them.
Organizing an event of this scale was no small task. When
School Nutrition Coordinator Kalin Bryan first thought up the concept, she reached out to University of Georgia Extension for advice on where to start. Through support from the Thomas County Schools administration, a grant from No Kid Hungry, and numerous community partnerships, Bryan and
School Nutrition Director Lauren Duplantis were able to make their dreams a reality.
To read entire article click here.
Win-Win with Great Promise Partnership
Great Promise Partnership (GPP) is an initiative of the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) in the Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education Department (CTAE). GPP is the work-based learning placement for students in danger of not graduating, providing an educational opportunity that allows students to receive on-the-job training and life skills. Not only will this program help these students gain transferable skills while earning a much-needed paycheck, but it will also help with developing a workforce pipeline for your school nutrition program.
Click here to read a letter from Dr. Dodson and detail about GPP.Georgia Tray of the Week
The Georgia Tray of the Week Campaign is to be a year-long school meal promotional activity that highlights the consistently high quality of school meals served in Georgia schools. Each Tuesday the State Agency will select and share, via social media, five or more photos depicting Georgia school meal trays served in the preceding school week. Social media followers will be asked to select their favorite menu from the shortlisted trays, with the image having the most engagement by each Friday at 8:00am being designated the Georgia Tray of the Week.
Below is a listing of all previous winners. Click on the school to see their
Tray of the Week entry!
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Our Vision:
Be the authority and resource for Georgia school nutrition programs so every child in school has healthy school meal choices every day.
Our Mission:
School Nutrition is a valuable partner in education, pledging to provide coordinated support for outstanding student achievement through our commitment to excellent service in each of these core areas: Quality Meals, Student and Community Engagement, and Professional Development.