Free and reduced-price meals are available for households who meet USDA income guidelines. You can pick up an application at any of the school offices or use the links below. Families can also call the Food Service Director to request an application be mailed to you. If you qualified for free or reduced prices the previous year, you must re-apply again each school year. Families can apply after July 1 for the following year.

All households who may qualify are encouraged to complete an application. The information submitted is confidential. Funding for some of the district's educational programs is based on the number of students who are eligible for and receive free and reduced-price meals.

Households should reapply any time there is a change in financial or household status that may improve benefits.

Information about the Application Process:

• Only one application is needed per family; if you have more than one child attending a school in our district, you only need to submit one application for all children.

• Applications can be submitted at any time during the school year.

• Families can submit a new application if there is a change in the household, such as a parent loses a job or has their work hours cut. A new application must be submitted each school year.

• Eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals is determined based on the federal income guidelines. Children may be eligible automatically for free school meals if one or more family member participates in a federal nutrition program, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or if they are classified as homeless, runaway, or migrant.

• All families enrolled in the district can apply for free or reduced-price school meals.

• Applications are confidential. You do not need to have a Social Security number to apply.

• What you will need to fill out the application:

  • Your case number if you participate in SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, OR....

  • the earnings of anyone in your household, including children.

  • Social Security or retirement benefits for anyone in your household; and other sources of income.

  Until your application is received and processed, you will be responsible to pay for meals served to your children. Please fill out your application as soon as possible.

Parents can fill out a Free and Reduced application online by clicking on the link "LINQConnect Family Portal.

Links to download:

Income Eligibility Guidelines are included in the paper application packet.

2024-2025 FREE AND REDUCED PAPER APPLICATION

Return the completed paper application to your child's School Office.

Breakfast
Student - $2.00 
Adult - $2.85

Lunch
K-8 - $3.30
9-12 - $3.60
Adult – $5.00

Credit and Debit Card Payments as well as automatic payments are accepted through LINQ Connect Family Portal.

For parents with more than one child in the Meade School District, payments for all children can be done from the same online account.

Similarly, automatic email updates about low account balances or negative balances are available for each child.

Linq charges a small fee for making payments online. For those who choose not to take advantage of the online service, Meade Food Service will continue to accept cash or check. When paying in that manner, the student's name must be included on the check and cash must be in an envelope with the students name written on the outside so payment is credited to the correct account.

See our District Policy for Delinquent Accounts here: Parent Financial Rights and Responsibilities