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School Lunch Program
A grant by the 89th Texas Legislature allows students who qualify
for reduced-price meals to now enjoy free breakfast & lunch at
school in school years 2025–26 and 2026–27.
What does this mean for School Districts and Public Charter Schools?
• Read updated FAQs on SquareMeals.org.
• Reduced price lunch benefits begin Sept. 1, 2025.
• Consider options for covering or charging students for lunches served before Sept. 1, 2025, as grant
funds can’t be used to cover reduced-price lunches before then.
• Notify parents of reduced-price eligibility through eligibility determination letters.
• Update POS systems to ensure no reduced-price students are charged for breakfast (entire school year)
and lunch (after Sept. 1, 2025, if charging students for reduced-price lunches before funding is available).
• Ensure TX-UNPS/ TANS site application reflects the reduced-price meal rate you want to be reimbursed
per meal (up to $0.30 per breakfast and $0.40 per lunch).
TDA will support you by reimbursing the amount indicated in the site application, in addition to standard
federal reimbursement.
Communication resources and additional information are available at:
squaremeals.org/Public-Resources/School-Nutrition-Eligibility
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4/3/26 11:22 PM