Free & Reduced Meals

The National School Lunch Program provides nutritionally balanced, reduced-cost or free meals to children each school day. The program is managed by the USDA. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or the Temporary Assistance Program for Needy Families (TANF) can get free meals regardless of their family’s income. Also, children can get free or reduced-price meals if their household income is within the limits on the Federal Income Chart.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED STARTING JULY 1, 2025

APPLY TODAY for free meals! 

West Fargo Public Schools encourages all families to complete the free/reduced meal application, as the federal program provides more than just meals:

• School Funding: The amount of funding the district receives is dependent on our rate of free/reduced students, as is our eligibility for additional grant funding. Ensuring our free/reduced rate is an accurate representation of our district is vital in providing a valuable education.
• School Meals: Most commonly associated with the free/reduced application is the opportunity to receive free or discounted school meals for children. Eligibility is based on family size and income.
• Activities: Families enrolled in the federal free/reduced meals program are eligible for fee waivers associated with student activities.
• College Applications: Families enrolled in the federal free/reduced meal program are eligible for fee waivers associated with the college application process at select universities.
• Standardized Tests: Families enrolled in the federal free/reduced meal program are eligible for fee waivers associated with national standardized tests (ACT, SAT, and AP Exams).
• Student Fees Assistance: All children in households who qualify based on income, or receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or the Temporary Assistance Program for Needy Families (TANF) can get free student fee assistance. Release of information question MUST be checked 'yes' on your online application. If you submitted a paper application you must also fill out the release of information form. Also, your children can get school fee assistance if your household income is within the limits on the Federal Income Chart.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED STARTING JULY 1, 2025

• Free & Reduced Application Instructions

• Free & Reduced Meal Application 2025-2026

• F&R Meals Letter to Households

• Free & Reduced Meals Application Information Release

• Income Guidelines 

  If you qualify for free & reduced meals, certain fees required by the school district will be waived. The school fees will only be waived if you allow us to release your child(ren)'s information. The information will only be released in school related programs to determine eligibility for waiving fees or to determine if other benefits are available to your child(ren).

  By signing the attached form, you are giving school nutrition program personnel the permission to release the information provided in your application.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027 (PDF), found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
    
2. fax:
   202-690-7442; or
    
3. email:
   Program.Intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.