A  NEW APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED EACH YEAR (It cannot be submitted on last year’s form). There is a 30-day grace period for free or reduce-priced status from the previous school year to complete and return a new application. If we do not have a new application on file after 30 days, your child(ren) will be changed to full pay status.

If you qualify for meal benefits, your student is eligible for free or reduce-priced breakfast or lunch. The free or reduce-priced status applies to meals only. The student is not eligible to use their free or reduced status for the purchase of ala carte items such as milk. Milk only must be purchased.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL CHARGES UNTIL YOUR APPLICATION IS PROCESSED. Fill out the application completely (one application per family) including:

·         All students’ full names with school they attend

·         Names of all members of the household with their incomes and how often received

·         Signature of an adult household member

·         Social Security Number of signer

If your student receives Basic Food or TANF you must include the case number on the application (no Social Security Number is needed). Applications will not be processed without a case number.

If your student is a foster child, please submit an application with only his/her name in the foster child section. If you have multiple foster children, you need one application per child. No other children may be on their application.

Have your student drop the completed application in your school cafeteria with the Food Service staff or drop it off at the Food Service Office at Ellensburg High School and we will process it immediately if possible. We have 10 business days to process the application. You are responsible to purchase meals or bring meals from home until your application has been processed.

If you are approved for Temporary Free/Reduce-Priced meals, you have 6 weeks to contact the Food Service Office and /or submit a new application with income information.

Please send cash or a check (checks are encouraged) with the student’s full name written in the memo section to school with them. Have the student submit the cash/check with the Food Service cashier at their school. We do not give change to students; the full amount will be deposited in their account. It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to ensurethat their child has money in his/her account or brings a meal from home.

If your student changes schools within the Ellensburg School District, the money in their account moves with them. Free or reduce-priced status moves with them also.

The student is requested to contact his/her parent. A family member may bring money to the school to make a deposit. If family members do not make a deposit, the student will receive a courtesy snack. This offering is intended to hold a child over until they can get home and eat. It is not meant to be a meal or replace a meal. It is a family’s responsibility to provide sufficient funds to purchase a meal.

QUESTIONS? Call the Food Service Office at 925-8217.