3190R
Business/Non-Instructional Operations
Regulation for Free or Reduced Price Meals
National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs regulations require that meals be provided for needy students when the family income is insufficient to provide the basic necessities, including food of the proper quality and amount for good nutrition.
Parents shall be informed of the district policy concerning “Free and Reduced Price Meals.” A letter and application form will be distributed to all parents during the first few days of school. The application form can also be found online at: https://www.npsct.org/free-reduced-meal-info. The letter will contain information on the eligibility standards, procedures for applying for “Free and Reduced Priced Meals,” and how an appeal may be filed for an adjustment in the decision with respect to the application. This information and an application form will also be provided whenever a new student is enrolled. (cf. 3542.42 - Finance: Food Service)
1. Free or reduced price meals will be provided for all students who qualify on the basis of financial need.
2. There shall be no discrimination in the furnishings of meals because of race, religion, source of income, etc. based upon federal and/or state guidelines.
3. The anonymity of students receiving assistance under this regulation shall be protected. The names of these students will be treated in a confidential manner. All students have an established meal account. The Point of Sale (POS) system reconciles student meals according to Free, Reduced or Paid status.
4. Requests for free and reduced price meals that have been denied may be appealed to the Superintendent or designee.
5. Records of students receiving assistance will be kept at the Central Office, Department of Food and Nutritional Services.
6. Eligibility for the “Free and Reduced Price Meals” program will be based on the following:
A. Emergency Situations
A child's statement of need is sufficient for providing assistance on a temporary basis. A family contact should be made immediately to determine the extent and probable duration of need. In cases of family emergency such as sudden unemployment, illness, death, desertion, homelessness*, etc., assistance on the completion of an application will be provided as needed. Online applications are accessible at: https://www.npsct.org/free-reduced-meal-info
*The District Homeless Liaison is the Superintendent of Schools. You can reach the Superintendent at:
Email: superintendent@npsct.org
Phone: (860)666-2000
B. Objective Standards of Need
Eligibility for assistance, other than for emergency situations, will be determined on the basis of income and family size as indicated on the scale provided by the district.
7. If school authorities feel that a family's financial situation has changed, and the students are no longer eligible for free meals, a hearing procedure will be used by the Superintendent or their designee to challenge the continued eligibility. In the event of such a challenge, the family will be given a reasonable period of time in advance of the hearing to review the information on which the challenge is based. Children will continue to receive free meals until the conclusion of the hearing.
Approved Free and Reduced eligibility is for the entire school year unless there is a change in status as a result of the verification process. Households can reapply if there are changes in income or household size.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-215 Lunches, breakfasts and the feeding programs for public school children and employees.
10-215a Non-public school participation in feeding program.
10-215b Duties of state board of education re feeding programs.
10-216 Payment of expenses.
State board of education Regulation
10-215b-1 School lunch and nutrition programs
Regulation approved: May 23, 2001
Regulation revised: October 29, 2025