All Plano ISD campuses will continue to provide free meals to all students throughout the 2021-22 school year, regardless of family income, the district said in an email.
Under U.S. Department of Agriculture guidance, schools can offer meals to all students at no cost for the 2021-22 school year. It’s part of an effort to ensure all students are getting adequate nutrition despite the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
Typically, a student’s household must meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
No application or eligibility determination process is required for students to receive free meals this school year. But the income eligibility requirement is expected to resume for the 2022-23 school year.
Plano ISD will be collecting a socioeconomic information form from all families via its online parent portal for the 2021-22 school year, according to the district. The information is required by the Texas Education Agency, which uses the data for annual state accountability ratings and federal reporting and funding.
