This summer, Idaho families who need assistance paying for school meals will be required to submit an application for free and reduced price school meals for the first time since 2020.
The change comes with Congress’ passing of the $3 billion Keep Kids Fed Act, which reinstates a requirement, suspended during the pandemic, that low-income students who fall above the poverty line pay a reduced price for school meals. Previously during the pandemic, the full price of meals was covered for all students, and no application was required.
Families that participate in federal assistance programs in Idaho automatically qualify. Those families on Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations automatically qualify for the program, but an application may still be required to participate. Families may also qualify for free and reduced price meals based on income guidelines, and do not need to be enrolled in an assistance program to access meals.
Most schools and districts in Idaho participate in the National School Lunch Program.
Parents should contact the district their children attend to fill out an application. Families only need to submit one application per household, even if their children attend more than one school in the district.
