Free and Reduced Lunch Program
Meridian School District participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) at the elementary, middle schools and high school. The NSLP is a federally assisted meals program operating in public, private non-profit schools. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act and provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free lunch to children who qualify for the program at each K-12 school. It is administered at the federal level by the USDA, an equal opportunity employer and provider, and at the state level by the Illinois State Board of Education.
If a child who is eligible chooses to take only one or two components rather than all three, he/she will be charged the full price for each component rather than receiving the free or reduced price. Additionally, if a child chooses an a la carte item, it is also an extra cost and the child will be charged accordingly. Please remember, if your child is eligible, he/she must take all three components when obtaining their lunch for the day in order to avoid any additional charges to his/her meal program account.
The 2022-2023 Free and Reduced application are available. To access the application click on the link found at the top of the page. If interested in applying for meal benefits complete the form listing ALL members of the household on the form and return the form to the district office.