By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
School meal income eligibility guidelines announced by USDA
Placeholder Image

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services announced eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price school lunches.

For the 2013–14 school year, children in a household of four with income up to $30,615 per year will qualify for free meals, and reduced meals if the household’s income up to $43,568.

Applications are available from participating school districts during registration and at the beginning of the school year, though applications may be submitted at any time. Schools use the state’s direct certification program to simplify access for students from households that participate in the FoodShare or W-2 programs or for children in foster care.

In the 2012–13 school year, 43.2 percent of public school students were eligible for free and reduced-price school meals, including 36 percent in Platteville, 33.9 percent in Potosi, 34.3 percent in Belmont, and 42.6 percent in Iowa–Grant. Four southwest Wisconsin school districts — Richland, Prairie du Chien, Boscobel and Riverdale — had more than half of their students eligible last year.