Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, the District will continue to provide NO COST breakfast and lunch meals to students at each campus.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced April 20, 2021, that schools will be able to serve nutritious meals to all students free of charge regardless of eligibility through June 30, 2022.

While no application or eligibility determination is required for students to receive free meals this school year, income eligibility requirements will likely resume in the 2022-2023 school year. As such, to establish eligibility for free or reduced-price meals for the 2022-2023 school year, parents must complete an application for free or reduced-price meals this school year (2021-2022). Parents that received a notification letter stating a child is directly certified for free or reduced-price meals, does not complete an application. However, they must let Child Nutrition know if any children in the household attending school are not listed in the letter.

Students will need to go through the cafeteria serving line during their campus breakfast and lunch serving times to receive free breakfast and lunch meals. 

À la carte items will be available for purchase. We encourage families to apply money on to their student(s) meal account where students can use the SchoolCafé app to scan for additional purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the District providing students free meals throughout the 2021-2022 school year?

USDA (April 20, 2021) The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is establishing a waiver to allow the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO) to operate when school is open during the regular school year, through June 30, 2022. This waiver is expected to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). Allowing school food authorities to participate under SSO during COVID–19 operations during the regular school year facilitates the safe provision of meals by eliminating the need to collect meal payments, including cash payments, at meal sites.

FNS recognizes that school food authorities need additional support and flexibility to continue serving meals to children while maintaining appropriate safety measures and managing the impacts of COVID–19.

How will students receive free meals?

Students will need to go through the cafeteria serving line during their campus breakfast and lunch serving times to receive free breakfast and lunch meals.

Why are meals free to all students this year opposed to previous years?

USDA (October 9, 2020) Due to the continued need for social distancing, many states and SFAs are utilizing a virtual or hybrid education model. In addition, schools using in-person instruction have recognized the need to modify meal service models to ensure student safety. Providing meals through the SFSP/SSO will support these models and not require additional administrative contact.

USDA (April 21, 2020) USDA passed a Nationwide Waiver established by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19).

Will students continue to receive free school meals after the 2021-2022 school year?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced April 20, 2021, that schools will be able to serve nutritious meals to all students free of charge regardless of eligibility through June 30, 2022. Income eligibility requirements will likely resume in the 2022-2023 school year.

Why do I need to fill out a Free/Reduced Meal Application if student meals are free?

While no application or eligibility determination is required for students to receive free meals this school year, income eligibility requirements will likely resume in the 2022-2023 school year. As such, to establish eligibility for free or reduced-price meals for the 2022-2023 school year, parents must complete an application for free or reduced-price meals this school year (2021-2022). Parents that received a notification letter stating a child is directly certified for free or reduced-price meals, does not complete an application. However, they must let Child Nutrition know if any children in the household attending school are not listed in the letter.

Articles for reference:

https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/child-nutrition-response-85

https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/04/20/usda-issues-pandemic-flexibilities-schools-and-day-care-facilities

Students that participate in Remote Conference Instruction may still obtain meals through their campus.

Process:

Parents/Guardians will pick up meals from their virtual learning student’s home/enrolled campus daily.

The FBISD Child Nutrition Department will accommodate students who are enrolled in the Virtual Learning Program as follows:

2021- 2022 FBISD Child Nutrition Virtual Learning Program Feeding

• Parents/Guardians will pick up meals from their virtual learning student’s home/enrolled campus daily  

• Elementary students can pick-up meals from their school between 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 

• Middle School students can pick-up meals from their school between 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 

• Parents/Guardians must check in at the front office and go to the cafeteria to pick up meals 

• Student ID numbers are required to pick-up meals 

• The current day’s hot lunch and tomorrow's cold breakfast will be provided 

• The regular school menu will be offered to these students 

• School menus can be accessed online at www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd