Free and Reduced Price Meals

Did you know that completing an application for free or reduced price meals can assist with more than just meals at school?  Unlock benefits for your student, family and school with an approved application.   

It's More than a Meal Application!

Nutritional Services Frequently Asked Questions

Families must reapply for free or reduced price meal benefits each school year. 

If your student(s) qualified last school year, their prior year eligibility is extended for the first 30  days of the new year to allow time for a application to be completed and processed.  After the 30th school day (October 14, 2025), school meals will be charged at the paid meal price if a new application has not been processed to reestablish eligibility. 

Complete only one application per household.

Very important!  List all students and all household members (along with their income) on the application.  If a household member does not have an income, report their income as zero ($0). 

Qualification is based on household size and income.  

In most cases, families will receive an email notification when the application has been processed. Applications may take up to 10 days to process.  

Please retain a copy of the eligibility notification letter as it may be needed at later times during the school year for discounts on programs offered in your community such as internet or sports club participation.

Families may reapply during the school year if financial or household size changes occur.

Can a student qualify for school meal benefits without completing the annual CNEEB application?  

Yes, families that currently qualify for Basic Food, TANF, FDPIR, ECEAP, Foster Care, McKinney Vento, or Migrant Education Services may be automatically enrolled in the school meal program as “Directly Certified” for free meals.  Some Medicaid programs through DSHS may directly certify your student for free or reduced price school meals.

Families that are directly certified by Nutrition Services will be emailed a eligibility notification letter explaining their student's qualification for free or reduced priced meals.  You do not need to complete the annual Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit (CNEEB) application.

If your student(s) are directly certified for school meal benefits, families are encouraged to complete the Consent to Share form that is sent with their notification letter so that their student’s eligibility status can be shared to access resources offered by the Family Engagement Specialists or to participate in the district's Fee Waiver program.   The Consent to Share form is also provided in the section below.