Private School Meals in the TEFA Program – Odyssey

This article explains how TEFA families can purchase eligible private school meals.

Private school meals, such as breakfast and lunch, are eligible expenses under the TEFA Program. Families may purchase meals either directly through their participating school or through approved meal providers in the Odyssey Marketplace.

Meals Through the School Portal

If your student attends a participating private school, meal costs can be paid through the school portal. In addition to paying tuition, parents can send direct payments to their school for additional purchases such as meals and transportation.

Benefits of Purchasing Through Your School

Bundle meal costs alongside tuition or other fees
Ensure charges are applied to your student's account
Experience a simpler, more streamlined payment process

Meals Through the Odyssey Marketplace

The Odyssey Marketplace offers meal options for eligible TEFA students through approved meal providers.

Authorized meal providers that partner with TEFA-approved schools may apply to become Marketplace vendors and offer customized meal packages designed for enrolled students. This provides families with additional flexibility while ensuring expenses remain compliant with TEFA guidelines.

Benefits of Purchasing Through the Marketplace

Use TEFA funds for eligible meal expenses
Purchase meals through the same platform used for other educational products and services
Select meal options that are coordinated with your student's participating school

Meal offerings vary by school and provider. Only meal packages from approved Marketplace vendors are eligible for TEFA funding.

Meal Vendors in the Marketplace

To become an authorized Marketplace vendor, the meal provider must be listed by the school they serve in the survey sent to schools in June 2026.

Marketplace meal vendors are required to include the school name in the offering title to help families select the correct meal package for their student's school.

What This Means for Families

School meals remain an eligible educational expense when provided through:

Your student's TEFA-approved school; or
An approved Marketplace meal provider.

Families may choose to:

Purchase meals directly through their school, when available
Purchase eligible meal packages from approved providers in the Odyssey Marketplace

The best purchasing method may vary by school. Check with your school to learn which meal options are available for your student.