The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.
While all students will qualify for free meals through the 2021-22 school year, it is IMPORTANT that families continue to apply for the free and reduced-priced meal program if they believe they may qualify. By determining which children qualify for free and reduced-priced meals, school districts are able to receive more funding. There are other benefits, including college testing (SAT) and application fee discounts for eligible children.
FAQs about the program
Do I Qualify?
• Free and reduced-priced meal eligibility is based on annual household gross income. Federal guidelines are changed every year, meaning you need to APPLY EACH YEAR to the program. Visit our Food & Nutrition webpage for application details.
• Families participating in SNAP or Medicaid and children who are migrant, homeless, foster, or runaways ALWAYS qualify for free meals.
What Are The Benefits?
• Free or reduced-priced cost meals.
• A nutritious meal that follows national nutritional guidelines to support healthy eating, helping your child do well in school.
• Children are provided with more than HALF of their daily calories through the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program.
• College testing (SAT) and application fee discounts for eligible children.
• As part of the COVID pandemic relief efforts, additional benefits may apply to children who qualify for free and reduce-priced meals.
How Does This Help My School?
• For every school meal served money is returned to your school district’s food budget, from the New York State and Federal government, in order to better the food service program.
• Submitting free/reduced-priced meal applications help with your school district’s overall budget.
• By determining which children qualify for free and reduced-priced meals, school districts are able to receive more funding.
• Although the federal government announced the extension of free school meals to all students for the 2021-2022 school year, it remains IMPORTANT that families continue to apply for the free and reduced-priced meal program if they believe they may qualify.
• Why? By determining which children qualify for free and reduced-priced meals, school districts are able to receive more funding.
What About Privacy?
• Capital Region BOCES processes applications offsite, meaning school personnel DO NOT see applications.
• Under State law, children are protected from being publicly identified or shamed for their eligibility status.
• Children receive the SAME meal, regardless of their eligibility status.
How Do I Apply?
• Applications are distributed at the beginning of every school year and can also be found on this website. Visit our Food & Nutrition webpage for application details.
• It is RECOMMENDED to apply at the beginning of each year to verify or establish eligibility for the new school year.
• Families are able to apply at any point during the school year.
• For questions, please contact Susan Frank within the Shared Food Service Department at Susan.Frank@neric.org or call (518) 464-5133.