There is such a thing as a free school lunch

Parents and caregivers can now contact Texas schools to request an application for free and reduced-cost meals for the upcoming school year. A news release from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, whose office administers the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs in Texas, explains that an approved application is required in order for students to receive meals under the program. Schools determine eligibility based on income and participation in other aid programs, as well as whether students are homeless, runaways, migrants, displaced by disaster or in a foster care program. More information can be found at SquareMeals.org, and the Department of Agriculture encourages caregivers with questions to reach out to their school’s nutrition department with questions. “Children will go back to school before you know it and this year families have a new reason to get the application for free and reduced-price meals submitted as soon as possible,” Miller said in a statement. “The budget approved by the 88th Texas Legislature includes funding that lets students who are approved to get reduced-price meals get breakfast free. (The Texas Department of Agriculture) and schools are working now to get the word out about this great new resource. Submitting the application for free and reduced-price meals early will help schools prepare to implement this new benefit and provide healthy, balanced meals to more students.”