Free Meals For Kids

 

NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

YOUR CHILDREN MAY BE ELIGIBLE

FOR FREE OR REDUCED PRICE SCHOOL MEALS

 

Who can receive free or reduced price meals?  Children in households receiving Food Stamps or Reach Up and most foster children can receive free meals regardless of your income.  Also, your children can receive free or reduced price meals if your household income is within the income limits on the Federal Income Guidelines (see chart below).

 

Income Eligibility Guidelines for 2007-2008
Household Size
Yearly
Monthly

Twice Per
Month

Every Two
Weeks
Weekly
1

18,889
1,575
788
727
364
2
25,327
2,111
1,056
975
488
3
31,765
2,648
1,324
1,222
611
4
38,203
3,184
1,592
1,470
735
5
44,641
3,721
1,861
1,717
859
6
51,079
4,257
2,129
1,965
983
7
57,517
4,794
2,397
2,213
1,107
8
63,955
5,330
2,665
2,460
1,230
For each additional
household member add
+6,438
+537
+269
+248
+124

 

    
 

Students eligible for free or reduced price meals must purchase a complete breakfast or lunch. For example, if your child wants milk to go with their bag lunch from home they must pay for the milk.

Why?

Because although individual items are available for purchase, they are not covered by the free or reduced price meals program.

   
 

So, if your child purchases any of the following items the additional cost will be charged to their cafeteria account:

  • Snack drinks, including juice and milk
  • Extra slices of pizza, a second helping of food, or additional items not included in the complete school meal
  • Items from the a la carte line at Colchester Middle School and Colchester High School

 

How will I know if my children are eligible for this program?  You must complete an application and return it to the district's administrative office or any of our schools.  We will use the Federal Income Guidelines to determine your family's eligibility.  You will be notified in writing if your children are eligible for free or reduced price meals.

Where can I get an application?  Applications are available in all Colchester schools or you can click on the link below to print a copy from this website.

Do I need to fill out an application for each child in my household?  No.  You should complete only one application for all students in your household.  Return the completed application to:

Colchester School District
PO Box 27
Colchester, VT  05446-0027
or
Drop off your application at any of our schools.

 

Do I need to complete a new application each year? Yes. A new application must be completed each school year. There is a grace period for students who were approved during the previous school year. This grace period expires on the 30th day of school which is October 10, 2007.

Will other students know that my child is receiving free or reduced price meals?  No one knows who is paying full price or who is eligible for free or reduced price meals.  All children purchase lunch in the same way.  They simply come through the line, give their name to the cashier, and enter in their pin number into our new computer system.  Our cashless payment system ensures complete anonymity.

 

Application Form and Instructions
Microsoft Word Format
Adobe Acrobat Format

 

List of Frequently Asked Questions
Microsoft Word Format
Adobe Acrobat Format

 

Need Adobe Acrobat Reader? Click on the icon below to download a free copy of this program.

 

 

Missing your Child's Cafeteria PIN Number?

Please call the cafeteria staff in your child's school.

Colchester High School 264-5739
Colchester Middle School 264-5823
Malletts Bay School 264-5910
Porters Point School 264-5925
Union Memorial School 264-5947

 

 

For additional information on the Free and Reduced Price School Meal program, visit the Vermont Department of Education's web site or contact Cathy at 264-5985 in the district's administrative office.

 

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