USD 223 participates the National School Lunch Program. Kansas school sponsors that participate in the lunch program receive reimbursement from USDA for each meal served to eligible students. In return, they must serve lunches that meet federal requirements, and offer reduced price and free lunches to eligible students. To meet USDA nutrition requirements, local sponsors choose the menus and use Nutrition Standards for School Meals, a food-based preparation method. Regulations establish a standard for school lunches to provide one-third (1/3) of the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories. Regulations also require schools to meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend that no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories come from fat, and less than 10 percent from saturated fat.  

Building Healthier Kansas Kids - Kn-eat.org

The online application is very quick and the preferred way of applying. Paper applications will also be available at enrollment in the school office. You can complete the online application in Spanish also. The link to switch from English to Spanish is in the top right hand corner.

If your family qualifies for Free Meals you do not have to pay when your student eats breakfast and/or lunch.

If your family qualifies for Reduced meals, then your student will be charged 30¢ for breakfast and 40¢ for lunch.

Children may be determined “categorically eligible” for free meals through participation in certain Federal Assistance Programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or based on their status as a homeless, migrant, runaway, or foster child.

Children enrolled in a federally-funded Head Start Program, or a comparable State-funded pre-kindergarten program, are also categorically eligible for free meals.

Children can also qualify for free or reduced price school meals based on household income and family size. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the Federal poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the Federal poverty level are eligible for reduced price meals. Schools may not charge children more than 40 cents for a reduced price lunch. To see the current Income Eligibility Guidelines, please visit: https://www.fns.usda. gov/school-meals/income-eligibility-guidelines

USD 223 District Policy for Unpaid Meal Charge Policy - EE Food Service Management

National School Lunch Program FactSheet