Free and Reduced Meal Application

All families, regardless of income, should complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application annually in SchoolCafe. The application is available as an online form, or families can request a paper form from their school secretary or cafeteria manager. It is vital that ALL families complete the form, even if they did not qualify in previous years, as district budgets are dependent upon accurate data gathered from the Free/Reduced Meal Application.

If you need help with the application, please contact Food Service Director Stephen Nokes, (417) 472-7113.

Children from families whose current income is at or below those shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals.  Applications are available at the school office.  To apply, fill out a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application and return it to the school.  The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility.  Applications may be submitted any time during the school year.  A complete application is required as a condition of eligibility.  A complete application includes: (1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/TANF case number, (2) names of all household members, and (3) the signature and last four digits of social security number or indication of no social security number of adult household member signing the application.  School officials may verify current income or other information provided on the application at any time during the school year.

Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.  Households with children who are eligible under the foster, Head Start, homeless, migrant, or runaway programs should contact the school for assistance in receiving meal benefits.  Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants may be eligible for free or reduced price meals.

Children who are members of households currently certified as receiving Food Stamps, TANF or FDPIR are eligible for free meals.  To complete an application, the household must provide the names of the children, a statement that the household receives the qualifying benefits, the Food Stamps/TANF/FDPIR case number, and the signature of the adult household member making application.  When known by the school that members of a household are receiving assistance from Food Stamps, TANF or FDPIR, households will be notified of their children’s eligibility for free school meals.  If any children in the household were not listed on the eligibility notice or not listed on the application, the household should contact the school to have benefits extended to all children in the household.

If a family member becomes unemployed or if family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application.  Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for these benefits.

Under the provisions of the policy, the administrative assistant will review the applications and determine eligibility.  If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, they may wish to discuss the decision with the hearing official on an informal basis or he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to the Superintendent.  Hearing procedures are outlined in the policy.  A complete copy of the policy is on file in each school and in the central office where any interested party may review it. 

USDA Non-discrimination Statement:

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.