Free and Reduced Lunch Information
Children need healthy meals to learn. North Reading Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day. At this time as of July 5, 2022, a decision has not yet been made about whether or not the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will extend school meal waivers for the 2022-2023 school year, allowing the continuation of universal free school meals at all school districts throughout the state for next school year. At this time school districts are required to reestablish student income eligibility for school year 22-23, effective July 1, 2022. A decisoin on next school year is expected to come very soon by the USDA, but at this time we must assume that all school meals will return to being paid next school year. Regardless of this decision it is still important for families who feel they may be eligible to complete the 2022-23 free and reduced lunch application. The District will continue to be required to certify families for free and reduced lunch meals who meet the qualifications, as this and that information may be used to qualify newly eligibly children for a Pandemic EBT card which is a federal program that provides additional funds for families to purchase food.
Below are some helpful links including the free and reduced lunch application, frequently asked question document, detailed instructions and a sharing of information waiver form. Completing this waiver form allows the district to use this information to extend benefits for other school programs including, athletics, extra-curricular activities, bus transportation, kindergarten and preschool tuition.
2022-23 Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Frequently Asked Questions Free and Reduced Lunch Process
Instrutions on Completing the Application