PIERRE, S.D. – Families who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals in school year 2023-24 need to submit a free and reduced-price meal application. Schools will take applications and use family income to qualify students for the program.
The South Dakota Department of Education (DOE) wants families to know about options available through the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Special Milk, and Child and Adult Care Food Programs. These federally funded programs help to ensure that children from families whose income meets certain guidelines can be served at participating schools and agencies. A list of participating entities can be found on the DOE’s website at doe.sd.gov/cans/ under the “Documents” drop-down.
Families may apply for free milk or free and reduced-price meals for their children for school year 2023-24, according to guidelines effective July 1, 2023. Depending upon a family’s circumstances, there are varying ways to gain access to the programs.
To learn more about the programs, families should contact the administrative office of their local school or agency. The income scales below are used to determine an applicant’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meals if the household is at or below the guidelines.