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SCHOOL MEALS AND SUMMER EBT APPLICATION

2024-2025 School Year

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WHY SCHOOL MEALS?

Healthy students are better learners. One of the best ways to guarantee that students stay focused and engaged in the classroom is to ensure they have a nutritious breakfast and lunch.

Hunger Free NJ | 2024

No-Cost School Meals are an Investment in Academic Success

School meals are essential for student health and learning. Studies show that students who participate in healthy school meal programs have improved attendance, behavior, academic performance, and academic achievement.

No-Cost Meals Eliminate Stigma

The existing policy for school meals creates stigma and shame for those students who rely on school meals to meet their basic needs, and serves as a barrier for those students who are not eligible but still experiencing food insecurity.

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    • All children in households receiving benefits from NJ SNAP or NJ TANF/WorkFirst-NJ
    • Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court
    • Children participating in their school’s Head Start program
    • Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant
    • Children may receive free meals if your household’s income is within the limits on the New Jersey Expanded Income Guidelines.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS IN NEW JERSEY?

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WHY SHOULD I APPLY?

  • Families can receive no-cost meals and discounted school fees, bus passes, utilities, and more.
  • School districts receive additional school funding, qualify for grants and additional nutrition programs.

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Meal applications must be returned for the purpose of verifying student meal eligibility. If you did not receive a form, please contact our school's front office to obtain a copy.

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If you participate in any programs like SNAP, TANF, etc. you may not need to complete an application and should have received a letter stating that your children were Directly Certified to participate in the meal program at no charge.

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HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED TO FILL OUT A FORM?