Free and Reduced Meals Program

Apply for Free and Reduced Meals

Meridian participates in the the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to provide our families in need of assistance free and reduced meals. Applying is easy!

Takes 5 minutes
Completely confidential
Full web security
Apply anytime during current school year
Not sure if you qualify? Check income eligibility guidelines.

Printable applications

What's included in Free and Reduced Meals?

Following School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program guidelines, the Meridian Café Crew offers the following components as part of a complete meal:

School Breakfast Program:

Whole Grain foods like bread or cereal
Fresh Fruit
Milk

Students must select 1 grain, at least 1 fruit and 1 milk offering to complete their meal if they have chosen a complete or reimbursable meal.

National School Lunch Program:

Whole Grain foods like Bread, Rice, Pasta
Meat and Meat Alternatives like Lean Ground Turkey and Organic Tofu
Vegetables like Beans, Leafy Greens and Tomatoes
Fruit: Fresh, Frozen, or Canned in Juices
Milk: Fat Free (Skim) or 1%
Meridian also offers, Lactose Free 1% Milk, or Oat Milk, for students with medically documented allergies or intolerance.

To create a complete meal, students and staff must choose a minimum of three components. One of the components must be a fruit or vegetable. K-5 students are served all 5 components daily.

Additional fruit and vegetables are always available at no charge to all students.

Any student or staff member who selects only one item or items that do not meet a complete meal will be charged à la carte, or individually for the items selected.

What's excluded from Free and Reduced Meals?

These items are not considered complete meals and do not qualify for Free and Reduced Meal status.

Additional entrees
Primary À La Carte Items: Juice and/or Bread Bakery item
Secondary Students and Staff À La Carte Items: Items might include; IZZE drinks, chips, bars, juice, yogurt parfaits, hummus

If you choose for your student to not be allowed to purchase À La Carte Items, please email [email protected]. We can also set daily limits such as "one item per day."

If you ever have questions regarding the School Breakfast Program or the National School Lunch Program, please contact our Child Nutrition Director, Irene Wheat at [email protected] or via phone at (512) 660-5256.

Media Release

Meridian application letter to families

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides lunches to more than 3 million Texas children in school and residential child care institutions. The NSLP serves nutritious, low-cost or free lunches to students in public and non-profit private schools in Texas. Lunches must meet federal nutrition guidelines, and are reimbursable to schools based on number of meals served.