The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced it will now be offering free or reduced price meal programs for eligible students. Qualification is determined based on scale of household income and size.
The lunch plan is served to children under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. With the economy still in a major downturn and unemployment rates still rising, such assistance is meant to foster assistance for families in need. Unemployed parents may now be qualified to apply.
This federally-assisted program first started during the Truman administration in the 1940s. The goal is to ensure well-balanced, healthy meals to both public and private sector students each day.
Application forms are being distributed to all homes in the district informing families of enrollment availability. Specific meal plans will be determined after applications are processed through school. Eligibility may be verified at any time during the school year.
Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the qualifying decision can file an appeal through SMMUSD administration.