Eligible school children receive free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches.
Who is eligible?
School children are eligible to receive free or reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches if:
- They are qualified as economically needy in the Head Start Program for preschool children. To be qualified as economically needy you must apply.
- The child has been approved for food stamps or TANF.
- The household’s current income is below income eligibility guidelines.
What benefits are provided?
The program provides free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches to eligible school children participating in the school lunch program. Free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches are required to meet USDA nutritional standards and may not be different than the meals served to other school children. Participants in the free and reduced-price meals programs may not be segregated from children paying full price for school meals.
How do I apply?
School children receive applications for the school lunch program, which they are instructed to give to their parents. Parents who wish for their children to receive free or reduced-price meals fill out the application and return it to their children’s school. This program is available in public schools, private schools, shelters, and residential areas.
In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). You can also find their information at www.fns.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
