CHILD NUTRITION
CAN MY CHILD GET FREE SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH?
Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, all children in California schools qualify for free breakfast and lunch at school, regardless of immigration status or income. This is called “universal free meals.” All students attending public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools are eligible. Each student may request a breakfast and lunch at no charge regardless of their eligibility for free or reduced-price meals.
The meals will be available even if the school does not have a cafeteria. However, meals are not necessarily available for students who are not on campus (remote learning or independent study students.)
Even after the universal free meals begin, you will still have to fill out an application showing your income for the school meal program. You should be given an application for the meal program in your own language at the beginning of the school year or whenever your child transfers. You can also ask for one at any time from the school office in case your income goes down during the year.
If you receive CalWORKs, food stamps, or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the only information you have to give is your case number, and your child automatically qualifies for free meals.
If you do not receive CalWORKs or food stamps, you will have to list the total income of your household, the names of household members, and the Social Security number of the adult signing the application. If you do not have a number, just write “none”. You are not required to apply for a number or give a reason for not having one.
In some cases, you must give the school some proof of your income (by showing your pay stubs to the school secretary, for example). All information gathered is confidential and cannot be given to other government agencies.
For more eligibility information, visit: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/eligmaterials.asp
Children who eat regular meals learn better and are usually sick less than other children.
Extra Food for Pregnant Students
At many schools, pregnant and breastfeeding students can get extra food at breakfast or lunch, or an extra snack. To be eligible, the student must provide some written verification that she is pregnant or breastfeeding from a doctor, nurse, midwife, clinic, WIC or Cal-Learn program.