6225 - Free and Reduced Food Services ## Free And Reduced Price Food Services
The Avery County school district accepts responsibility for providing free meals and reduced price meals to eligible students in the schools.
Applications for free or reduced price meals will be made readily available to parents by the principal and may be submitted at any time during the school year.
In accordance with the guidelines for participation in these programs, and in accordance with the wishes of the board, no student who meets the criteria for eligibility for free and reduced lunch benefits will be denied a free lunch, milk or other food, simply because proper application has not been received from his or her parents or guardian. The principal may complete an application for a student known to be needy if the parents or guardian fails to apply.
The information provided on each application is confidential. The school district will make reasonable efforts to maintain the anonymity of students participating in the free or reduced price meal program.
The administration will establish procedures which conform with state and federal requirements regarding participation in programs for free and reduced lunch benefits.
Legal References: 20 U.S.C. §1232g; National School Lunch Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §1751, et seq.; Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §1771, et seq.; G.S. 115C-263, -264
Cross References:
Adopted: 2005-10-03