Free lunch program for all students ends. Here’s how to sign up for meal benefits
The School District of Manatee County’s Food and Nutrition Services is reminding parents and guardians of local students to apply for food benefits for the upcoming 2022-23 school year because federal funding that previously covered meal costs for all students has ended.
Students return on Aug. 10. It would be best for parents to apply for benefits before that date.
The end of free lunch for all students is due to the expiration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nationwide COVID-19 waivers.
Breakfast for all students will remain free. However, lunch prices will be $2.75 for elementary students and $3.00 for 6-12 grade students.
Here’s a list of schools in Manatee County that will no longer offer free lunch to all its students.
- Anna Maria Elementary
- Bashaw Elementary
- Braden River Elementary
- Braden River Middle
- Braden River High
- Buffalo Creek Middle
- Freedom Elementary
- Gullett Elementary
- Haile Middle
- Harvey Elementary
- Jain Middle
- King Middle
- Kinnan Elementary
- Lakewood Ranch High
- Manatee High School
- McNeal Elementary
- Miller Elementary
- Mills Elementary
- Myakka City
- Nolan Middle
- Palma Sola
- Palmetto High School
- Parrish Community High School
- Sara Scott Harllee Center
- Steward Elementary
- Tara Elementary
- Williams Elementary
- Willis Elementary
The school district entourages families of students who attend these schools to apply for free or reduced meal benefits at https://www.manateeschools.net/meal.
Households with multiple students only need to submit one application.
Parents who are recipients of SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Medicaid, children will automatically get free lunch and don’t need to apply for benefits.
Students who attend one of the county’s community-eligibility provision schools will also receive free lunch without applying for benefits. Below is the list of participating schools.
Abel Elementary
Ballard Elementary
Bayshore Elementary
Bayshore High
Blackburn Elementary
Daughtrey Elementary
Horizons Academy
Just for Girls Academy
Lee Middle
Lincoln Memorial Academy
Manatee Elementary
Manatee School for the Arts and Science
Moody Elementary
Oasis Middle
Oneco Elementary
Palm View K-8
Palmetto Elementary
Prine Elementary
Rogers Garden Elementary
Samoset Elementary
Sea Breeze Elementary
Southeast High
Sugg Middle
Tillman Elementary
Visible Men Academy (VMA)
Throughout the school year, parents can use the website, www.MyPaymentsPlus.com to ensure there is money on their child’s account for lunch and other food items.
School lunch and breakfast menus can be viewed on the Nutrislice app, which is available for download thorough Google Play or the AppStore, or online at www.Manatee.Nutrislice.com.
If your in need of more information, go online at www.ManateeSchoolFood.net or call the Food & Nutrition Services office at (941) 739-5700.
