How do I get free or reduced-price school meals for my children?

Households must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals application form and return it to the school. Only one application must be filled out by a family for children attending the same school. Applications are included in the student’s registration packet. You can also obtain an application at the school or by calling Student Eligibility and Accountability at
(713) 491-5944.

Will information on my form be kept confidential?

We will use the information on your form to decide if your children should get free or reduced-price meals. We also may inform officials with other child nutrition, health, and education programs of the information on your form to determine benefits provided by those programs or for funding and/or evaluation purposes.

Will the form be verified?

Eligibility may be checked at any time during the school year. School officials may ask you to send written proof that shows that your children should get free or reduced-price school meals.

Must I report changes?

If your children get free or reduced-price meals because of your income, you must tell us if your household size decreases or if your income increases by more than $50 per month, or $600 per year. If your children get free meals because your household gets food stamps or TANF, you must tell us when you no longer get these benefits.

Can I apply for free and reduced-price meals later?

If you are not eligible now but your economic situation changes during the school year (such as a decrease in household income, an increase in household size, unemployment, receive food stamps or TANF), complete another form.

Can I pay for meals online?

Yes. We are pleased to introduce Parent Online, an on-line payment system that allows you to conveniently pre-pay for student meals and manage your child's nutrition. To begin using this convenient service, visit www.parentonline.net and register an account for your child, or click here.

What is the cost of a student breakfast and lunch?

For a current list of meal prices, click here.

Why do teachers, adults and visitors pay higher meal prices?

Student meals are subsidized by USDA commodities and state reimbursements. The state does not allow Teacher/Adult/Visitor meals to receive such reimbursements; therefore, the price is slightly higher.

Why can't students have certain types of candy and snacks at school?

The Texas Department of Agriculture created a policy for Texas public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. In an effort to fight childhood obesity, the Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value Policy restricts such foods as soda, water ices, chewing gum, and certain candies from being served or provided on the school campus until after the last lunch period. Elementary campuses are restricted from serving these items throughout the entire school day. For more information about The Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value Policy (FMNV) visit the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website.

Are birthday parties allowed in the cafeteria during mealtimes?

Not if the party includes competitive foods or FMNV.

What foods are authorized to be served to elementary students during classroom birthday parties?

The Texas Public School Nutrition Policy (TPSNP) Clarifications issued August 26, 2004, explicitly state, "foods otherwise restricted by the policy are permitted in classroom student birthday parties." TDA recommends that parties be held after the class lunch period so the party does not spoil the students' appetite for a nutritious meal.

What does the Nutrition Standards provision of the TPSNP apply to?

The Nutrition Standards apply to all foods and beverages served or made available at any time by anyone during the school day, including school meals, nutritious classroom snacks, a la carte and competitive foods.

What is a "nutritious" snack?

One that complies with the fat and sugar limits of the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy and does not contain any FMNV or consists of candy or dessert-type items.

Can a school adopt stricter guidelines as a local policy?

Yes

May teachers allow children to eat food prepared in the classroom for instructional purposes if that food is not FMNV or candy?

Yes

Is there policy information in Spanish located on squaremeals.org?

Yes

If I am interested in joining the HISD Food Services team, who do I need to contact?

We are always looking for food service professionals to join our team, especially food servers and CDL licensed truck drivers. Please call our Human Resources Department at 713-491-5700. We offer competitive wages, great daytime hours, advancement opportunities and free employee meals. Positions will be filled without regard to age, race, creed, national origin, sex or disability.

What is the National School Lunch Program?

The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. In 1998, Congress expanded the National School Lunch Program to include reimbursement for snacks served to children in after school educational and enrichment programs to include children through 18 years of age.
The Food and Nutrition Service administers the program at the Federal level. At the State level, the National School Lunch Program is usually administered by State education agencies, which operate the program through agreements with school food authorities.

What are the nutritional requirements for school lunches?

School lunches must meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend that no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories come from fat, and less than 10 percent from saturated fat. Regulations also establish a standard for school lunches to provide one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories.
School lunches must meet Federal nutrition requirements, but decisions about what specific foods to serve and how they are prepared are made by local school food authorities. USDA works with State agencies and local school food authorities through the Team Nutrition initiative to teach and motivate children to make healthy food choices, and to provide school food service staff with training and technical support.

What types of foods do schools get from USDA?

States select entitlement foods for their schools from a list of various foods purchased by USDA and offered through the school lunch program. Bonus foods are offered only as they become available through agricultural surplus. The variety of both entitlement and bonus commodities schools can get from USDA depends on quantities available and market prices.
A very successful project between USDA and the Department of Defense (DoD) has helped provide schools with fresh produce purchased through DoD. USDA has also worked with schools to help promote connections with local small farmers who may be able to provide fresh produce.

What is the Summer Food Service Program?

Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does a child's need for good nutrition. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free, nutritious meals to help children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow, throughout the summer months when they are out of school.

Where does the program operate?

There are more than 200 participating HISD schools that offer free breakfast and lunch during the summer months, usually from late May through the end of June. The HISD Summer Feeding Program partners with the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department which will continue to serve cold lunches to Houston-area kids after our summer meals program is over.

Who is eligible to get meals?

Children 18 and younger may receive free, hot nutritious meals through SFSP. Children do not need to be enrolled in summer school nor show proof of income to participate. Meals are also available to persons with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled.

When are meals served?

Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Lunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

What number do I call if I have a question regarding the program?

Please call HISD Food Services at 713-491-5944.