Free and Reduced-Price Meal Plans

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ASD to offer free breakfast and lunch programs during summer
Free breakfasts and lunches will be available this summer at Begich Middle School and Chinook, Russian Jack and Tyson Elementary Schools. Williwaw Elementary will provide free lunches, and free sack lunches will be offered at Mt. View Lions Park. Read the news release for details.

Breakfast and Lunch Programs, 2008-09

The Anchorage School District provides free and reduced-priced meals for elementary, middle and high school students under the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program. Nutritious meals are served every school day.

Free and reduced-price application

Schools serving breakfast in 2008-09 ELEMENTARY: Abbott Loop, Airport Heights, Baxter, Campbell, Chester Valley, Chinook, Chugiak, College Gate, Creekside Park, Denali, Eagle River, Fairview, Gladys Wood, Government Hill, Kasuun, Klatt, Lake Hood, Lake Otis, Mountain View, Mt. Iliamna, Muldoon, North Star, Northern Lights, Northwood, Nunaka Valley, Ptarmigan, Russian Jack, Scenic Park, Susitna, Taku, Tudor, Tyson, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Whaley, Williwaw, Willowcrest, Wonder Park MIDDLE: Begich, Central, Hanshew, Mirror Lake, Romig, Wendler HIGH: Bartlett, Chugiak, Dimond, Eagle River, East, Service, South, West Who can get free or reduced-price meals? Children in households getting Food Stamps or ATAP/TANF (Public Assistance) and Foster Children can get free meals regardless of the household income, though we must have an application or receive an electronic import. We now receive electronic imports from State of Alaska Public Assistance Office as well as Migrant Education advising us of students qualified for free school meals under those programs. Student Nutrition sends households a letter confirming status at that time. Food Stamp Public Assistance families may alternately receive written verification and submit same in place of an application or list their case number on a regular application form. Also if your household income is within limits on the Federal Income Chart for Alaska, along with Permanent Fund Dividend Income, your children can get free or reduced-price meals. See income chart at right » Free & reduced participant applications must be submitted annually		Meal prices, 2008-09 Lunch Elementary Middle High Full price $2.90 $3.30 $3.75 Reduced price 40¢ 40¢ 40¢ Milk (alone) 50¢ 50¢ 50¢ Breakfast Elementary Middle High Full price $1.55 $1.55 $2.00 Reduced price 30¢ 30¢ 30¢ Milk (alone) 50¢ 50¢ 50¢   Income Eligibility Guidelines, 2008-09 Household Size Yearly Monthly Weekly 1 $24,050 $2,005 $463 2 32,375 2,698 623 3 40,700 3,392 783 4 49,025 4,086 943 5 57,350 4,780 1,103 6 65,675 5,473 1,263 7 74,000 6,167 1,424 8 82,325 6,861 1,584 For each additional family member, add:   +$8,325 +$694 +$161

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I obtain meal applications?

Applications are located at all schools, Administrative Offices Information, Student Nutrition, and may be completed and downloaded from the District Web site (see above).

Do I need to fill out an application for each child?

No. Use one application for all elementary, middle school and high school students in your household except for foster children.

Who can get free or reduced-price meals?

Children in households getting Food Stamps or ATAP/TANF (Public Assistance) and Foster Children can get free meals regardless of the household income, though we must have an application or receive an electronic import. We now receive electronic imports from State of Alaska Public Assistance Office as well as Migrant Education advising us of students qualified for free school meals under those programs. Student Nutrition sends households a letter confirming status at that time. Food Stamp/Public Assistance families may alternately receive written verification and submit same in place of an application or list their case number on a regular application form. Also if your household income is within limits on the Federal Income Chart for Alaska, along with Permanent Fund Dividend Income, your children can get free or reduced-price meals.

If we are notified that our child is free through the electronic import method, do we still need to complete an application?

No.

Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals?

Please contact Child in Transition/Homeless Project at 742-3833 or Migrant Education at 742-4275 to see if your children qualify if you have NOT been informed that they will get free meals.

My child was on the lunch program last year. Won’t her Free status carryover to this year?

It will carryover only for the first 30 school days if her status was via application.  However, if she attended a Provision School, where all children are automatically fed Free, this will NOT be the case. We must have a new application each school year.

Our income this year is identical to last year, when the children were free. Why are they Reduced this  year ?

This is very common. The Federal Income Guidelines change every year, as do the Permanent Fund Dividend amounts should they apply.

Why is student income a requirement? 

We must have income for the entire household. Many children have income from estates, trusts, survivor benefits, etc. besides any real wages.

Why are applications returned to households?

Usually because the application is not completed as required. Illegible applications must also be returned; also if any child on the application is not in the school registration system, the application is delayed.

Why are there some schools that feed children Free automatically?

These are special Provision Schools determined by government requirements. These schools are: Fairview, Mount Iliamna, Mt. View, Muldoon, North Star, William Tyson, Whaley and Williwaw. Children are fed free when they attend these schools. 

Do I have to complete a new application if my child transfers from one District school to another?

 No, unless a child has been at one of the special Provision schools mentioned above, and transfers to a non-Provision school, which are all other District schools.

How long does it take to process an application?

Allow two weeks for processing.

May I apply if someone in my household is not a US citizen?

Yes, you or your children do not have to be US citizens to qualify for the program.

Who should I include as members of my household?

You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such a grandparents, other relatives, or friends). You must include yourself and all children who live with you.

What if my income is not always the same?

List the amount that you normally get. For example, if you normally get $1000 per month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, list the $1,000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes.

What do I do with my completed application?

You may turn it in at any school front desk or mail to Student Nutrition (see back of application). NOTE: Our new scanning equipment will not read faxed applications or applications downloaded from the District Web site.  These applications will be delayed in processing.

What if I disagree with the status my application determines?

Your application will be processed according to Federal Guidelines. If you wish to ask for a hearing, you may write to Brent Rock, Director, Student Nutrition, 1307 Labar Street, Anchorage, AK 99515.

What if my child has special dietary needs?

If your child has been determined by a doctor to have a condition that would result in a disability that prevents your child from eating the regular meals, the school may make substitutions prescribed by a doctor.

Are there any additional benefits our family may be eligible for?

Yes, Health Insurance, Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC), and the District’s Child in Transition Program.

• Denali KidCare
  Call 1-888-318-8890 or (Anchorage) 269-6529 for  information and an application for free health insurance for children, teens and pregnant women.
• WIC
  Call 1-800-478-2221 for information on how to apply for free food  benefits and nutrition education for pregnant, postpartum/ breastfeeding women, infants and children under 5 years. If approved for free/reduced price meals, you may take your approval letter with you to WIC for documentation for WIC benefits.
• Anchorage School District’s Child in Transition/Homeless Project
  Call 742-3833 for assistance and information.