Many families will see changes in school meals this fall. School nutrition professionals have worked tirelessly to get healthy food to children during COVID-19, and they will keep working hard to serve children healthy meals this coming school year.
Will all meals be free?
The past two school years, schools had flexibility to serve free meals to all students. Some of those options expired, so most schools can’t serve all meals free anymore. Families will do what they did before COVID: fill out forms to see if they can receive free, reduced-price, or paid meals.
Some schools use a program called the “Community Eligibility Provision” that allows them to serve free meals to all students. Families at these schools do not have to complete any forms to receive free meals. Ask your child’s school if they are a “CEP” school.
My child’s school is going to start charging for meals again, but I can’t afford to pay. Is there a way my child can get meals for free?
Yes. There are still many ways children can get free meals. Children in Maryland are automatically eligible for free meals if anyone in their household receives Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR benefits. Schools should let you know if your child is automatically eligible.
All other families should complete free and reduced-price meal forms. If your household’s income is under a certain limit, your child can receive free or reduced-price meals. Children experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, runaway youth, or children of migrant workers all automatically qualify for free school meals when their household fills out an application. Schools will let you know if you qualify for free or reduced-price meals after you fill out the application. Visit your school district's website for information on free and reduced-price meal applications.
Children who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals may purchase a healthy breakfast or lunch at school. Meal prices vary by district, but are usually less than $3.
School meals have to meet strong nutrition standards, and schools are continuing to work hard to serve students the nutritious, delicious meals they need to learn and grow.
I'm struggling to put food on the table at home too, what other resources are available to help?
For other resources and food assistance programs, reach out to USDA’s National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (for English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) or www.mdhungersolutions.org/get-help/
What if my income changes during the school year?
If your income changes at any time throughout the school year, you can update your free and reduced meal forms. Your child may qualify for free or reduced meals if you are making less money. Check with your school food and nutrition service for more information.
