In-Person Learning

FCPS is offering healthy no-cost meals at all locations this school year as part of VDOE’s Seamless Summer Option implemented under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. 

Enrolled students will be offered a nutritious meal for breakfast and lunch each day at no charge to the household. Households will not be required to submit a meal application form to receive meals at no charge; however other benefits may be connected to eligibility.  Applications for the Free and Reduced Meals program are available online. 

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FCPS is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our staff and students throughout the entire school day, including lunchtime, when students will not be able to wear masks while eating.

We know that the situation at lunchtime will look different when comparing schools, but we are committed to making sure the structure of lunchtime works at every school. 

• Students will be required to wear masks in the cafeteria when not actively eating and drinking.
• Elementary schools are to provide seating charts to minimize the number of potential close contacts while masks are removed. 
• They will need to wear their masks while going through the serving line. 
• Students will put their mask back on when they finish their meal. 
• Cafeteria spaces will be regularly and thoroughly cleaned with a sanitizing solution. 
• It is recommended that students wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before and after eating.
• FCPS Food Nutrition Services works closely with the Fairfax County Health Department to ensure proper food safety and sanitation. 

All students will be offered no cost breakfast and lunch for the entire school year. Menus are online.  

Important note:  Food shortages are nationwide, and our district is also experiencing unavailable items or last minute replacements.  Menus are subject to change, but we will do our best to keep menus as stable as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we look forward to serving all students no-cost meals this school year.

Your child may choose to bring their meals and snacks to school this year. FCPS encourages this practice for students who have specific dietary requirements or are particularly picky. Bringing food from home ensures your child will have the meals and snacks they enjoy to fuel their day of learning.

Why Will Lunch Look Different at Every School?

The size of every school cafeteria is different and the number of students at each school is different. Because most students (99.5%) will be back for in-person learning, physical distancing will not be possible in most classrooms, hallways or cafeterias. 

The physical layout of each cafeteria varies from school to school depending on size and student enrollment. Some schools (but not all) will have outdoor cafeteria spaces or options. These may be used on days when the weather is good. 

Students will not be required to face the same direction when eating lunch, as was the requirement last year. This kind of layout will simply not allow most cafeterias to accommodate all students without disrupting normal operations.

Physical distancing will not be possible in all circumstances when we return 99.5% of all students to school buildings. This includes some cafeterias. Schools will do their best to physically distance where space allows and when it does not disrupt normal operations.

Virtual Students and Community Members

FCPS will be offering no-cost bulk meal kits for students attending virtually and community members at the locations listed below. Distribution will be every Wednesday starting on 8/25, and from 8:30am-10am.

Meal Kits will contain five (5) days of breakfast and lunch, plus (7) days of afternoon snack and supper meals.

• Chantilly HS 4201 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA, Building Door # 11
• Falls Church HS 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church, Building Door # 7
• Hayfield SS 7630 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA, Building Door # 6
• Herndon HS 700 Bennett St, Herndon, VA, Building Door # 13
• Marshall HS 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Building Door # 3
• Mount Vernon HS 8515 Old Mt Vernon Rd, Alexandria, Building Door # 4
• South County HS 8501 Silverbrook Rd, Lorton, VA 22079, Building Door # 11
• Westfield HS 4700 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly, Building Door # 1

All FCPS students (regardless of age) are eligible for free meals, as well as other county children that are eighteen (18) years and under. Parents/caregivers picking up meal kits for children should let staff know how many children's meals they need.  Adults may purchase meal kits at the central kitchen sites. 

Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800 with any questions.