The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) provide nutritionally balanced meals to students in over 100,000 public and non-profit private schools and residential childcare programs across the country. Administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the NSLP/SBP allows students whose families meet certain income requirements to receive breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks at a free or reduced price.
Healthy school meals play an essential role in helping students thrive in and out of the classroom. Students who participate in school breakfast for example show improved attendance, behavior, and academic performance, as well as decreased tardiness.* A school breakfast and lunch provide a minimum of USDA’s daily recommended dietary allowance for key nutrients (25% and over 30% respectively).
*Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). "Breakfast for Learning." Oct. 2016.
Not sure of your child’s eligibility?
Income eligibility guidelines are available online for each school year to help you determine eligibility based on your household size and income level. There are no restrictions based on immigration status. Visit the USDA site for details.
Parents or guardians can submit an application that is provided by the school district. Families may apply at any time throughout the school year, and must re-new their application each school year.
SY 2024-25 Free and Reduced Applications
SY 2024-25 Free and Reduced Applications (Spanish)
SY 2024-25 Free and Reduced Applications (Hmong)
SY 2024-25 Free and Reduced Application Instructions
SY 2024-25 Free and Reduced Application Instruction (Spanish)
SY 2024-25 Free and Reduced Application Instruction (Hmong)
SY 2024-25 Frequently Asked Questions
SY 2024-25 Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)
SY 2024-25 Frequently Asked Question (Hmong)
Facts about the Free and Reduced priced meals program
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
