Back-to-school means school meals. Please help spread the word to families that their children might qualify for free or reduced-priced school meals.  You never know who might need a little extra help!    

English - Application and Parent Letter (NYSED)

Spanish - Application and Parent Letter (NYSED)

Other Languages (USDA) 

Apply online with ACCESS NYC (NYC only) 

Income eligibility guidelines, application, and other information are available in the 2011-2012 NYSED Policy Booklet.   

The federal government recently released the 2011-2012 income eligibility guidelines and reimbursement rates and for the child nutrition programs.   

Check out the guidelines and rates for all child nutrition programs from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).   

For information specific to New York:  

New York State Education Department: Eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals and  reimbursement rates.

New York State Department of Health: Eligibility for CACFP and reimbursement for day care centers or day care homes.  

New for this school year, all school districts in NYS will be using electronic sources to automatically qualify children receiving food stamps and/or TANF for free school meals.  This new "data matching" is an effort from NYSED and NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. 

Data matching ensures that many low-income children are qualified to receive free school meals in a streamlined and paperless manner.   

Successfully occurring in other states across the nation, Hunger Solutions New York is pleased NYS is now adopting and utilizing technology to connect low-income children with free school meals!

Learn more about direct certification for free school meals and data matching on our website.