Qualifying for Free and Reduced-Price Meals

Any child enrolled in a participating school may purchase a meal through the National School Lunch Program. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals, for which students can be charged no more than 40 cents for lunch. Children from families with incomes over 185 percent of poverty pay full price, though their meals are still subsidized to some extent. Districts set their own prices for full-price (paid) meals but must operate their meal services as nonprofit programs.

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