All school meals no longer free

August 17, 2022

A series of federal waivers initially passed at the onset of the pandemic lapsed last month and is no longer providing funding to maintain free meals for all students. Public school students will now be charged for breakfast and lunch once the 2022-2023 school year starts in August.

We’d love to continue to provide free lunches, but funding just doesn’t allow that to happen.

We encourage all families to apply for free and reduced meals regardless of income level. We want to make sure we don’t miss anyone receiving that extra financial support. We recommend everyone completes the form online to eliminate any stigma surrounding the application. We know income level can be a sensitive subject. So if you skipped that step in online enrollment, please complete it via a paper form at your school.

The districts may also receive additional governmental funding based on the number of students that qualify for free and reduced lunches. Even if you think your family doesn’t qualify or your student doesn’t eat with us, please complete the application anyway. It just takes a moment, and you might be the one family that pushes us over the number needed to qualify for more grants and funding.

Full lunch prices for the fall will be $2.80 and breakfasts will be $1.80. Those who qualify for reduced rates, will see lunch prices of $0.40 and breakfasts at $0.30 for both elementary and secondary students. These prices are pending board approval in August. Some families will qualify for fully free lunches and breakfasts.

CPS families can pay for meals at https://www.cpsok.org/page/lunch-balance or print the form for free and reduced meals at: cpsok.org under Child Nutrition.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.