Federal Guidelines for School Meal Eligibility Announced in North Carolina
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently unveiled the federal income eligibility guidelines for the 2026-2027 academic year, impacting how free and reduced-price meals are distributed to students across North Carolina. This initiative, part of the federally-assisted School Nutrition Programs, is designed to make nutritious meals accessible to every student.
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, Maurice “Mo” Green, emphasized the importance of these meals by stating, “Educational excellence isn’t achieved through engaging and rigorous classrooms alone. Healthy and nutritious meals are essential to ensuring students are focused and ready to learn. When students eat school meals, they have improved focus and academic success.”
Details regarding the income eligibility criteria, effective from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, can be found on the USDA’s website at fns.usda.gov/schoolmeals.
The eligibility for these meal benefits is determined by household size and income. Children from households meeting or falling below the specified income levels are eligible for these meal benefits. Additionally, children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Cash Assistance (CA) benefits are automatically eligible for free meals through direct certification by officials. Foster children under the legal responsibility of a social services agency or court are also categorically eligible for these benefits, independent of the household income.
In North Carolina, SNAP is referred to as “Food and Nutrition Services” (FNS) and CA was formerly known as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
Applications for free and reduced-price meals are available to all households and can be obtained from the school office. In the state, students approved for reduced-price meals receive them at no cost. To apply, households must complete and return the application to the school or relevant School Nutrition Office. Families already receiving FNS or CA benefits are automatically certified and don’t need to apply separately.
To process applications, an adult household member must sign the document, including the names of all household members, their income sources, and the last four digits of the signer’s social security number. If a social security number is unavailable, this must be indicated. Program officials may verify the income information at any time during the school year.
The School Nutrition Administrator or a designee in each district will review applications to ascertain eligibility. If there is dissatisfaction with the decision, parents or guardians can discuss it informally with officials or formally request a hearing.
Should there be changes like unemployment or a change in household size, families are encouraged to inform the school, as these changes might affect their meal benefits eligibility if their income falls within the specified limits.
For answers to common questions about free and reduced-price meals, refer to the FAQ.
For further details, contact the NCDPI, Office of School Nutrition at (984) 236-2910, or reach out to the School Nutrition Administrator in the relevant educational institution.
In line with Federal civil rights law and USDA policies, discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income from public assistance, political beliefs, or retaliation is prohibited in all USDA programs. Remedies and deadlines for complaints vary per program.
Those with disabilities requiring alternative communication methods should reach out to the administering agency or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711. Program information may also be available in multiple languages.
To file a discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, available online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint or at any USDA office. Alternatively, write a letter to USDA with all required information. Send the completed form or letter by mail to 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; fax to (202) 690-7442; or email program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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