The 2020-2021 school year might be in full swing with virtual classrooms in session, but it’s not too late to apply for free and reduced lunch.

“Families in need should definitely apply for free and reduced lunch right now,” said Angelina, a veteran office worker at a local San José school who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.

“Many students can still receive low cost meals from their school once they're enrolled, but their parents have to take initiative and apply.”

With virtual classrooms becoming the new norm, school districts across Santa Clara County will continue providing students with meals during the 2020-2021 school year.

Photo by Julia M. Cameron from Pexels.

According to the USDA’s National School Lunch Program, interested applicants are encouraged to contact their local school or district to fill out a school meal application to see if they qualify. Last week’s blog highlighted some school districts still accepting applications for free-and-reduced lunch in San José.  

Once submitted, free and reduced lunch applications are reviewed by school officials to determine eligibility, but some families may already qualify.

"If a student’s family is enrolled in federal assistance programs like SNAP, they may already qualify for free and reduced lunch,” Angelina added. “Some school lunch applications can even be filled out online now to make it easier for applicants.”

Since the end of all ages meal distribution, school districts are now focusing solely on Fall food distribution, which means applying for free and reduced lunches has never been more important.

Since the 2020-2021 school year kicked off last week, school sites in Santa Clara County have implemented innovative meal program measures to ensure students can still access school meals while distance learning.

Many schools across Santa Clara County have curbside grab-and-go meal pickup. Check with your local school district for distribution days and times.

Photo taken by Nick Georgoff.

Back in April, Governor Gavin Newsome even announced that families with students who qualified for free and reduced lunches were also eligible for Electronic Benefits Transfers (EBT) through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), California’s food assistance program that supports low-income families.   

Free and reduced lunch is made possible through the USDA’s National School Lunch Program, a federally assisted meal program that provides free or low-cost lunches to children in public schools, nonprofit private schools, and childcare institutions.

According to the State of California, more than 3.8 million students qualify for free and reduced breakfasts and lunch. Schools, institutions, and child care facilities use guidelines set by the National School Lunch Program to determine eligibility for free and reduced price meals.   

Not only do the established guidelines help benefit children most in need, but they are also revised annually to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index, according to the USDA.

“If someone is eligible for unemployment compensation due to COVID, their kids may also be eligible for free or reduced priced meals, said Angelina. “I see a lot of parents find out later that their child is eligible, and it lifts a lot of burden off their shoulders.”

Apply for free and reduced lunch by contacting your local school district today.

Photo taken by Nick Georgoff

As parents and students begin navigating virtual classrooms and the reality of distance learning, school meals remain essential to ensuring students receive the nutrition they need to succeed.

Whether you’ve qualified in the past or have fallen on tough times, your local school district has lunch applications ready for you to fill out. Interested parents are encouraged to sign their child up by visiting their respective school district’s website or contacting them directly.

“Many of our residents are facing unprecedented challenges during this pandemic,” said Angelina. “You should not have to do it alone.”

If you are in need of food assistance, please visit GetCalFresh.org to request or call 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD) to connect with your County Social Services Officer. You can also go to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley (shfb.org/getfood) or call 1-800-984-3663 and one of their Food Connection Specialists can help you find out if you qualify.