Meals available at no cost for all students in 2021-22

Our district participates in the National School Breakfast/Lunch program and provides free and reduced-price meals to students who qualify based on federal government guidelines. This school year, healthy meals will be offered every school day to all students at no cost. Typically, a student’s household must meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance that allows schools to offer meals to all students at no cost for the 2021-2022 school year. Each school/site or central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed upon request.

Normally, a student’s economic status is determined by the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) application.  For SY 2021-22 SNS will not process NSLP Free & Reduced-price lunch applications. GISD Student Nutrition Services (SNS) will continue with the same designated CEP campuses as in the past.

The district has developed an economic survey form that is included in the back-to-school forms, because SNS is not processing free and reduced forms this year.  All parents will be asked to complete the economic survey this year. Parents have the option of providing this information to us.  Parents are encouraged to share this information with us because the school will/could receive federal funds and will be rated for accountability based on the economic survey information that they provide.

While no application or eligibility determination process is required for your student to receive free meals this school year, the income eligibility requirement will likely resume in the 2022-2023 school year.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.