Director of Nutrition Services, Beth MacKenna, says the district first joined the program in 2015, thanks to more than 62 per cent of families qualifying as "low income."
"We did this to eliminate paperwork on our end, we did this to help all the children feel comfortable eating and not having to worry about what their friends are going to say if they don't have funds in their account to buy meals."
And she estimates participation has grown 25 per cent for breakfast, and as much as 35 per cent for lunch.
MacKenna emphsizes the meals are provided at no cost to the children, but are definitely not free. The program is supported by taxpayers.