Applications for eligible students' free/reduced-rate meals available

Chesterfield County Public Schools provides nutritious breakfasts and lunches in every school. Based on household size and income, students in elementary schools, middle schools and Chesterfield Community High School may qualify for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Schools will distribute applications for free or reduced-price meals to all households. Applications are also available online at chesterfield.k12.va.us, at every school office and at the school system’s Food and Nutrition Services Office, 7610 Whitepine Road.

Only one completed, signed application per family is required. If a household is not eligible now for free or reduced-price meals, but experiences a financial change during the year, then a parent or guardian should submit another application. Students who qualify for reduced-price meals pay 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch; the full price of breakfast is $1.10 and the full price of lunch is $1.80. During the 2011-2012 year, the reduced fee will be waived so that students who qualify for reduced-price breakfasts and lunches will receive them free.

Children in households enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the food stamp program) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families may not need to complete an application for free or reduced-price meals. School officials will determine eligibility based on information from the Virginia Department of Social Services and will notify these households of their eligibility. If SNAP or TANF families are not notified automatically, they may fill out an application for free or reduced-price meals.

Other children who may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals are homeless, migrant or runaway children; foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court, regardless of the income of the household in which they reside; and children in households participating in the Women, Infants and Children Program.

Families whose application for free or reduced-price meals is denied may appeal the decision by contacting David Myers, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance, 7610 Whitepine Road, Richmond, Va. 23237, phone (804) 743-3717, Ext. 122. Appeals may be made orally or in writing.

Chesterfield Community High is the only Chesterfield high school that participates in the federal school meal programs, but students in other Chesterfield high schools may pick up an application for free lunches from their school cafeteria or office.

source: Chesterfield County Public Schools