Eating healthy and not skipping meals are two very important nutritional facts your children learn as they grow up. By eating the healthy meals offered in their school food program, they get the energy they need for a day of learning.

The USDA’s National School Lunch Program and National School Breakfast Program have made it possible for every child to receive a healthy meal even if they can not afford to do so. On average, 16.5 million out of 28.4 million participants receive free or reduced-price lunches throughout the country.    

Parents may now fill out the meal application form online.  Once you have successfully completed out the online version you will not have to submit a paper application.  Click on this link to apply.  www.trenton.k12.nj.us/lunchapps 

Frequently Asked Questions     
1.  What are the income requirements to meet the free or reduced status?  Income eligibility guidelines are provided on application instruction sheet as well as the letter to parents.  Both items will be/were distributed with the lunch application or available to view while completing the online version.

 2.       Do I have to fill out more than one application for each child?  Please only submit one application per household.  If you choose to complete your application online, please do not submit a paper application to the school.  If more than one application is submitted, this could possibly delay processing and qualification.

 3.       How long will it take for my application to be processed?  Your application status will be determined within ten (10) days of receipt in the Nutrition Services office.

 4.       Will I receive a letter if I am eligible for free/reduce lunch?  Yes.  It may take a few weeks to receive your eligibility letter, but it updates into our software program 48-72 hours after eligibility is determined. 

 5.       I received a letter from the Board of Education saying that I do not have to fill out an application because I automatically qualified, is this true?  Yes, if you received the letter stating so, you are directly certified.  If all of your children did not receive a letter, please add their name(s) to the letter received (in the space provided) and submit the letter to the school.  Please do not complete an application as doing so will actually delay the receipt of benefits for your children that may not have received a direct. 

 6.       How much is a paid or reduced student for breakfast and lunch?  Breakfast is free for all students regardless of income eligibility.  Lunch is $1.80 (full price) for elementary/middle school.  High School lunches are $2.55.  If your child qualifies for reduced lunch, the price is $.40.