In a major step toward supporting student health and academic success, Texas has expanded free school meals to include students who qualify for reduced-price meals. This renewal provides state funding to cover the cost of both breakfast and lunch for these students for the 2026-2027 school year.
Previously, families who qualified for reduced-price meals paid a small fee for each meal. Thanks to this new funding, those students now receive breakfast and lunch at no charge—removing a financial barrier and ensuring more Texas students have access to healthy school meals every day.
This investment reflects Texas' commitment to fueling student success through nutrition and is expected to increase meal participation and reduce food insecurity across the state.
Families are encouraged to submit a meal benefits application each school year to determine eligibility.
To apply, visit www.kisd.us/frmealapp or the SchoolCafe app.
Meal Benefits Application
The application will determine a child’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals and may assist in the determination of eligibility for other state or federal benefits. Only one application needs to be completed per household. Schools will notify the household of the child’s eligibility. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers school nutrition programs in Texas and offers an eligibility calculator at www.SquareMeals.org/ProgramEligibility.
Decisions regarding payment for school meals are made at the national/government level, not by the school nutrition team or TDA. The dedicated staff at Klein ISD is looking forward to serving healthy, balanced meals to students in the new school year.
Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits
The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:
Income Eligibility
Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels
Categorical or Automatic Eligibility
Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Program Participant Eligibility
Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start
Income Eligibility
Households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income must complete an application for free and reduced-price meals at www.kisd.us/frmealapp. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
1. Names of all household members
2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
3. Last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the adult does not have a social security number, check the box for “No Social Security number”
4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct
Categorical or Program Participant Eligibility
Klein ISD Nutrition and Food Services is collaborating with local agencies to identify children who qualify for categorical and program eligibility. Households with eligible children will be notified that they do not need to complete an application. If a household does not receive a notification but believes it should have, they should contact the Food Services Office at 832-249-4610.
Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact the Food Services Office at 832-249-4610.
Applications for nutrition and food services can be submitted at any time during the school year. The information provided on the application will be used to determine eligibility. Additionally, school officials may verify applications at any time throughout the school year.
Determining Eligibility
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, ndodhia1@kleinisd.net will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians who are dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official’s eligibility determination may discuss the decision informally with the Reviewing Official. For a formal appeal, households can request a hearing either orally or in writing by contacting Kevin Wieghat, Executive Director of Facilities and School Services, at 832-249-4518, or by mail at 7500 FM 2920 Rd., Klein, TX 77379-3299.
Unexpected Circumstances
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. These changes might make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the current income eligibility guidelines.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling, (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or (2) fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.