While recent COVID-19 waivers had allowed schools and school districts flexibility to offer meals at no cost, we recognize that returning to paid meals in the coming school year could have a significant impact on family budgets. We are here to help ease this transition, and encourage families to fill out the eligibility application for free and reduced meals starting on July 1, 2022.
Students and families can apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits, using the ODE CNP Online Free and Reduced Meal Application.
School nutrition programs are included in the 2019 Oregon Student Success Act under the Statewide Education Initiatives Account. The purpose of the funding is to expand participation in the school breakfast and lunch programs in public schools and public charter schools.
Oregon Expanded Income Eligibility Group (EIG) supports students who do not qualify for free and reduced meal benefits using federal income guidelines. It provides meal benefits to households with incomes above 185% but not exceeding 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.
For more details on income-based eligibility, please click the image below to access the Federal and Oregon Expanded Income Eligibility charts for the 2022-23 school year.
