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Nevada families encouraged to complete free and reduced-meal eligibility form so students in need continue to receive free meals

Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Thu, 03/28/2024 - 9:26am
Nevada Department of Agriculture

As students approach the end of the 2023-2024 academic year, the Nevada Department of Agriculture is urging families to complete the Free- and Reduced-Meal Eligibility Form to ensure eligible students continue to receive free or reduced-cost meals.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented free school meal waivers from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic until June 2022. Following the end of the federal waiver program, the NDA utilized American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to continue the program for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years.

The 2024-2025 academic year marks a return to pre-pandemic school lunch policies. Nevada students will only receive a free or reduced-cost meal at a school participating in the National School Lunch Program if they are deemed eligible based on income guidelines after completing a Free- and Reduced-Meal Eligibility Form, by participating in other federal assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid, or if they are attending a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school.

“It is critical for parents and guardians to fill out the Free- and Reduced-Meal Eligibility Form from their school,” said NDA Division of Food and Nutrition Administrator Patricia Hoppe. “Even if you don’t think you qualify, the NDA encourages families to fill out the form anyway.”

Many schools throughout the state are designated as “Community Eligibility Provision” (CEP). This designation is due to high percentages of students qualifying for free meals through SNAP, TANF and Medicaid and allows for all students at that school to receive free meals. Schools and school districts that have a CEP designation (listed below) will continue to offer free meals to their students at no cost to the enrolled students. Please note, additional schools may be added to this list before the 2024-2025 academic year.

Students at non-CEP designated schools can submit a Free- and Reduced-Meal Eligibility Form and be deemed eligible based on income guidelines or be directly certified through SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid. Parents and guardians can fill out the form for the 2023-2024 school year now, providing a 30-day grace period that will ensure students have access to meals on the first day of the 2024-2025 school year. A new eligibility form for the 2024-2025 school year will still need to be completed; schools will have these forms available after July 1, 2024.

Visit your school or school district website to complete the Free- and Reduced-Meal Eligibility Form.

Editor's note: State funding for free school meals including breakfast and lunch will end May 30, 2024. In an effort to support student meals in school, the Carson City School District Food and Nutrition Services department is asking parents and families to apply for free and reduced meals (educational benefits).

Students requiring school-provided meals, need families to complete the educational benefits application online before Friday, May 24, 2024 (paper forms available through school offices).

Student meal status must be established during the 2023-2024 school year, or the meal status will default to “full-pay” until an application for the 2024-2025 school year is submitted. Students with a free and reduced status during the current school year will have a 30-day grace period to reapply at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year.

Starting the first day of school Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, meals must be paid for, per each students’ free, reduced or paid status. The district has also provided a helpful Frequently Asked Questions document in both English and Spanish that should provide additional information. For additional information, please call Nutrition Services at 775-283-2150.

Carson City
Bordewich Bray Elementary School
Carson Middle School
Empire Elementary School
Fremont Elementary School
Fritsch Elementary School
Mark Twain Elementary School
Pioneer Academy

Churchill County
All schools in Churchill County are CEP designated. Free school meals will continue to be available to all students.

Clark County
All schools in Clark County are CEP designated. Free school meals will continue to be available to all students.

Douglas County
Aspire Academy High School

Elko County
Elko Grammar #2 Elementary School
Northside Elementary School
Owyhee Elementary School
Owyhee High School
Owyhee Junior High School
Southside Elementary School

Esmeralda County
Dyer Elementary School
Goldfield Elementary School
Silver Peak Elementary School

Humboldt County
Denio Elementary School
Grass Valley Elementary
Kings River Elementary School
McDermitt Elementary School
McDermitt High School
McDermitt Junior High School
Orovada Elementary School
Paradise Valley Elementary School
Sonoma Heights Elementary School

Lyon County
Cottonwood Elementary School
Dayton Elementary School
Dayton Intermediate School
East Valley Elementary School
Fernley Elementary School
Fernley Intermediate School
Fernley High School
Riverview Elementary School
Silverland Middle School
Silver Stage Elementary School
Silver State High School
Silver Stage Middle School
Sutro Elementary School
Yerington Elementary School
Yerington Intermediate School
Yerington High School

Mineral County
All schools in Mineral County are CEP designated. Free school meals will continue to be available to all students.

Nye County
All schools in Nye County are CEP designated. Free school meals will continue to be available to all students.

Pershing County
Early Childhood Education
Lovelock Elementary School

Storey County
Hillside Elementary School

Washoe County
Alice Smith Elementary School
Allen Elementary School
Anderson Elementary School
Bailey Charter School
Bennett Elementary School
Booth Elementary School
Cannan Elementary School
Clayton Middle School
Corbett Elementary School
Desert Heights Elementary School
Desert Skies Middle School
Dilworth Middle School
Dodson Elementary School
Donner Springs Elementary School
Drake Elementary School
Duncan Elementary School
Dunn Elementary School
Elmcrest Elementary School
EnCompass Charter High School
Gomes Elementary School
Greenbrae Elementary School
Hidden Valley Elementary School
Hug High School
Innovations High School
Inspire
Lemelson Elementary School
Lemmon Valley Elementary School
Lincoln Park Elementary School
Loder Elementary School
Mariposa Charter School
Mathews Elementary School
Maxwell Elementary School
Mitchell Elementary School
Natchez Elementary School
O'Brien Middle School
Palmer Elementary School
Peavine Elementary School
Picollo Elementary School
Pine Middle School
Risley Elementary School
Sierra Nevada Academy
Smith, Kate Elementary School
Smithridge Elementary School
Sparks High School
Sparks Middle School
Stead Elementary School
Sun Valley Elementary School
Traner Middle School
Turning Point
Vaughn Middle School
Vets Memorial Elementary School
Warner Elementary School
Wooster High School

White Pine County
McGill Elementary School
Norman, David Elementary School
Steptoe Valley High School
White Pine High School
White Pine Middle School

Charter Schools
CIVICA Academy
Democracy Prep at Agassi Elementary School
Democracy Prep at Agassi Middle School
Democracy Prep at Agassi High School
Equipo Academy
Futuro Academy Elementary School
GEMS Academy of Nevada
Mater Academy of Nevada- Bonanza
Mater Academy of Nevada- East
Mater Academy of Nevada- Mountain Vista
Mater Academy of Northern Nevada
Nevada Prep Charter School
Nevada Rise Charter School
Cactus Park Elementary
Quest Northwest
SLAM Academy

Bureau of Indian Education Schools
Duckwater Shoshone Elementary
Pyramid Lake Jr./Sr. High School

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***

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***

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