Jhe USDA offers free lunches to children aged 4 to 18 at nearly 100,000 schools around the United Statesas a member of School meals program which has existed since 1946.
It recently received a financial boost from the federal government, with spending on the free lunch program increasing by $0.68 per free/reduced price lunch, and the government also announced in July $0.32 $ per free/discounted breakfast through the school breakfast program.
Any student at a participating school is eligible as long as their household income is within the limits set by the USDA:
- Free lunches are available for those below 130% of the federal poverty level
- A discounted lunch can be had by anyone earning between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level.
- A low-cost, full-price meal is available to anyone who earns more than 185% of the federal poverty level
Qualification is based on household income with a sliding scale for household size. If the child lives with a single parent, they will be eligible for discounted lunches as long as that parent earns less than $33,874.
For an only child living with both parents, the magic number is $42,606 and for families of four it is $51,338.
From there, it continues to increase to a maximum household income of $86,266 if the child comes from a family of eight.
What’s in a reimbursable meal?
These meals aim to provide a nutritious and filling lunch for schoolchildren. The USDA defines its lunches as: “A single-priced meal unit that provides all USDA-required daily meal pattern components for each age group/class served in the minimum required quantities.”
They specify that the lunches include:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Cereals
- Meat/Meat Alternatives (m/ma)
- Liquid milk (1% or fat-free white or flavored fat-free)
“As part of the offer versus service under the National School Meals Scheme, students must take 3 components in the required portions. One selection must be a cup of fruit or vegetables,” their website continues. .
An example provided is a “Herb Portland Pizza” with vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, a carton of milk and a pear.