The pandemic-related program that provided school divisions with funds to offer free school breakfasts and lunches to all students will expire at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. While the federal funding program is expiring, for the next two school years, state funding will enable GCPS to provide free meals to students who qualify for reduced-price breakfast and lunches.
“We were very appreciative of the funds that enabled us to offer every child in the division free school meals,” Lisa Landrum, director of school nutrition services, said. “Students are more successful in the classroom when they are well-fed, and, while the universal federal funding is no longer available, we will be able to use the additional state funding to ensure students in need are provided breakfast and lunch at no cost.”
The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs offer free and reduced meals to families that meet Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines (see below chart). Children who are members of households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or who are homeless, migrant, or runaway may be automatically eligible for free meals. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. Additionally, children who are members of households participating in WIC may also be eligible for free or reduced-price meals based on the household’s income.
Household Size | Maximum Household Income for FREE MEALS | Household Income for REDUCED PRICE MEALS |
1 | $17,667 | $17,667.01 - $25,142 |
2 | $23,803 | $23,803.01 - $33,874 |
3 | $29,939 | $29,939.01 - $42,606 |
4 | $36,075 | $36,075.01 - $51,338 |
5 | $42,211 | $42,211.01 - $60,070 |
6 | $48,347 | $48,347.01 - $68,802 |
7 | $54,483 | $54,483.01 - $77,534 |
8 | $60,619 | $60,619.01 - $86,266 |
For Each Additional Family Member ADD | $6,136 | $8,732 |
The free and reduced school meals application is available on the division’s website – https://www.goochlandschools.org/page/nutrition-services -- and at each school. Families should submit only one application for each household.