KADENA AIR BASE – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service school meal program is continuing to ensure students attending Department of War Educational Activity (DoWEA) schools overseas are receiving healthy, appetizing and affordable meals to sustain them throughout their busy days.
The Exchange feeds students at nearly 75 DoWEA schools in seven countries (Japan, South Korea, Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, Italy and Turkey). Meals are served under the same U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines that schools in the U.S. follow.
The Exchange serves about 20,000 meals daily and 3.6 meals annually. Menus provide whole grains, lean meats/meat alternates, a variety of milk options, fruits and vegetables with reduced added sugars and sodium.
“The care and feeding of our kids are extremely important,” said Col. Jason Beck, the Exchange’s Pacific Region commander whose two sons attend DoWEA schools and rely on the school meals. “Because of the school meal program, military parents know that their kids are receiving nutritious meals. For me, this saves time. Instead of spending 5 or 10 minutes making meals, I can use that time to talk with my boys about what they’re nervous or excited about.”
The Exchange began serving meals in DoWEA schools in the United Kingdom in 1955. Since the implementation of DoD Directive 1015.5 “DoD Student Meal Program (SMP)” in 1983, the Exchange has been an official feeding source for all DoWEA schools—a unique capability that improves Quality of Life for Warfighters and their families.
“Hungry students can't focus on learning so being able to give them nutritious and healthy breakfast and lunch option supports their learning and supports their family at home," said Dr. Whitney Stephens, assistant principal at Bob Hope Elementary School on Kadena Air Base. “This is an amazing partnership with the Exchange as they go to great lengths to ensure the food is healthy, nutritious and affordable for families.”
DoWEA schools in Europe and the Pacific receive many of their whole-grain baked goods from the Exchange’s bakeries at Gruenstadt, Germany; U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys; Yokota Air Base; and Camp Kinser, Okinawa.
Free or reduced lunches are provided to children in families who meet income eligibility requirements.
Qualifications for free and reduced-price meals are based on family size and income using federal income eligibility guidelines which are updated and published annually by the USDA. Parents can go to linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new, enter AAFES DoWEA in the search field and fill out an application, including all family members and all income.
Families can learn more on the community Hub at ShopMyExchange.com/restaurants.
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 52nd-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, the Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providingvalued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 60th-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, the Exchange has generated $2.4 billion in dividends to Quality-of-Life programs.The Exchange is a nonappropriated fund entity of the Department of War and is directed by a Board of Directors. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website athttp://www.shopmyexchange.com/orfollow us on X athttps://x.com/shopmyexchange.
Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-3861 or mailto:wardchr@aafes.com.
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