National School Lunch Program

Application For Free-Reduced Priced Meals
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What is the National School Lunch Program?

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally funded meal program which provides both food and cash donations to subsidize the cost of school lunch in participating schools. The NSLP was established by President Harry Truman in 1946 and is presently operating in more than 96,000 public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care centers. The program is managed at the federal level by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service and at the state level by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

In order to receive the benefits of the NSLP, participating schools must offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible children. The schools must also comply with nutritional requirements outlined by the federal government. These guidelines follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans which recommend no more than 30 percent of a person's calories come from fat and less than 10 percent from saturated fat. Lunch menus must also be designed to provide children with 1/3 of the key nutrients they need each day (calories, protein, Vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron). District 87 has a registered dietitian who is qualified to develop menus that are nutritionally balanced and appetizing at a low cost to students and their families.


Can my child eat breakfast at school?
In addition to participating in the National School Lunch Program, District 87 also operates a daily breakfast program under the National School Breakfast Program which functions in a very similar manner.


How do children qualify to receive free or reduced-price meals?
Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the NSLP. Some children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on their household income. Children who do not qualify are required to pay a full price although their meals are still subsidized to some extent.


How to apply for free or reduced-price meals

Where to apply:

Applications for free or reduce-price meals will be mailed to households in early August or may be picked up at any District 87 School and the Educational Services Center. Return the completed application to:

School Nutrition Department
300 East Monroe Street
Bloomington, IL 61701

Who is eligible:

• If you or any member of your household (adult or child) now receives SNAP (formerly food stamps) or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), all children in the household are eligible for free meal services.
• A foster child may be eligible to receive free or reduced-price meal services regardless of foster family's household income.
• If your total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Guidelines below, your child(ren) is eligible to receive free or reduced-price meal services.
• Eligibility begins on the date the application is approved and remains in effect for the remainder of the school year.
  

• If you or any member of the household (adult or child) you are applying for now receive SNAP or TANF, you will need:
  1. The names of all household members including the child(ren) who will receive benefits
  2. A valid SNAP or TANF case number for at least one member of the household (adult or child)
  3. The signature of an adult household member.
  
  
• If you are applying for a foster child, the application must include:
  1. The child's name. (Each foster child must have an application.)
  2. The child's "personal use" income.
  3. The signature of an adult household member or guardian.
  
  
• If you are applying using household income, the application must have:
  1. The child(ren)'s name(s).
  2. The names of all household members.
  3. The amount of income each person received last month and the frequency in which it is received.
  4. The signature and Social Security number of an adult household member or the word "none" if that adult does not have a Social Security number.

Eligibility begins on the date the application is approved and remains in effect for the remainder of the school year.

• If you are not eligible now but have a change such as:
  1. A decrease in household income,
  2. An increase in household size,
  3. Become unemployed or eligible to receive SNAP or TANF benefits.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this
institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to:

USDA
Director, Office of Adjudication
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Or call toll free:
(866)632-9992 (voice); Hearing impaired (800)877-8339; Spanish (800)845-6136
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.