Federal free lunches ending

Congress did not extend federal school meal waivers and school meals will no longer be available to ALL students free of charge effective at the start of the 2022-2023 school year.  Households may complete an Application for Free or Reduced-Price School Meals during the 2022-2023 enrollment process or can take an application home to fill out and return. If you have already received notification that your family is eligible for free or reduced price meals for the 2022-2023 school year, follow the instructions provided.  Only students with approved applications will receive free or reduced price meals for the 2022-2023 school year.  Families who do not qualify for free meals will be responsible for paying for their child(ren)'s meals at reduced or paid rates. Paid meal prices will be $2.25 for Elementary students and $2.35 for Middle/High School Students.  Paid breakfast will be $1.50.  Reduced prices are .40 for lunch and .30 for breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will school meals be free of charge for ALL students in school year (SY) 2022-23?

A: Congress did not extend school meal waivers and school meals will no longer be available to ALL students free of charge.  Students that do not qualify for free meals will be charged for each meal they take at the beginning of SY 2022-2023.

 

Q: How can households apply for free or reduced price meal benefits for SY 2022-23?

A: Yes.  Households can qualify for free and reduced price meals by filling out an application when enrolling at their local school.  

 

Q: Is there a way for households to apply online for free and reduced price meal benefits?

A: Yes.  Go to https://schoolmealsapp.ksde.org/Home/welcome/D0218 to fill out an online application.

 

Q: When can my household complete an application for free and reduced price meals?

A: Applications for free and reduced-price meals will be available during enrollment.  You may take an application home to fill out but get them back as soon as possible so that if you qualify for free/reduced meals you can receive benefits the first day.

 

Q: When will households start being charged for meals?

A: Beginning SY 2022-2023, students who do not qualify for free meals will be charged for each meal taken.

 

Q: Who determines the meal price for paid meals?

A: Local school boards are required to set and approve student meal prices annually. 

 

Q. Will meals be allowed to be taken off campus during SY 2022-23?

A. No.  All school meals must be consumed on the school campus during the 2022-23 school year (with the exception of field trips).

 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1)   Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2)   Fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3)   Email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.