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Central Valley School District

Every Learner. Every Day. The Warrior Way.

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It ensures that students receive nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches every school day.

Our school district participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to support student health, well-being, and academic success by providing nutritious meals every day.

How the Program Works

  • Balanced Nutrition: All lunches served meet strict federal nutrition standards, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat milk.
  • Tiered Pricing: Depending on household income, students may qualify for Free Meals, Reduced-Price Meals, or Paid Meals (which are still federally subsidized).
  • Confidentiality: Every student uses the same checkout process in the cafeteria to ensure complete privacy for families receiving free or reduced-price meal benefits.

Qualifying for Free or Reduced-Price Meals

  • Income Eligibility: Households with incomes at or below specific federal poverty guidelines qualify for free or reduced-price lunch benefits.
  • Automatic Qualification (Direct Certification): Families receiving assistance through programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or TANF automatically qualify for free meals without needing to complete additional paperwork.
  • Flexible Application: You can submit a meal application at any point during the school year especially if your household size changes or you experience a change in income.

2026-27 Letter to Households

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2026-27 How to Apply for Free and Reduced School Meals

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How to Apply Instruction Video

2026-27 Household Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals

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