By Michelle Baker
Beginning on Monday, Sept. 9, the Washoe County School District’s Universal Free Meal program will end in 35 schools across the county. WCSD officials are urging families who might be impacted by this move to apply for free or reduced lunch programs by Sept. 6.
“There’s some big changes coming this school year,” WCSD Chief Operating Officer Adam Searcy said. “About one-third of our schools are moving away from universal free lunches that they’ve been receiving for the last four years.”
The Covid-era program offered free meals across the state and the nation and was extended by the Nevada Legislature and the Nevada Department of Agriculture over the last few years. In 2023, AB 319 was vetoed by Gov. Joe Lombardo and funding for the program in Nevada was not extended to the 2024-2025 school year.
An open letter from Gov. Lombardo on Wednesday explained that there is no need for a Universal Free Meals program, because “every Nevada student in need has access to free meals,” through existing programs.
“I’m grateful that we have robust programs in place to ensure that these students receive free school meals in Nevada,” he said in the letter.
Searcy said WCSD Trustees approved funding the free meals program for the first four weeks of the school year to provide transition time for students and families.
Sixty-eight schools in Washoe County are able to continue the program because of their Community Eligible Provision (CEP) designation, which allows schools to be reimbursed by the USDA based on the percentage of students eligible for free meals as part of the National School Lunch Program. A school is eligible for CEP status when at least 25% of the enrolled student population is at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.
Students who receive benefits from government programs like SNAP, TANF, and/or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, who are being fostered, or are homeless, runaway, or migrant students are eligible for free meals.
For students in the 35 schools no longer offering the program, Dan Pimm, director of nutritional services for WCSD recommends that families check their eligibility.
“In those 35 schools, families need to fill out a household income verification application to see if they qualify for free meals,” Pimm said.
Applications are accepted year-round, but because the extended program ends on Sept. 6, officials urge parents and guardians to apply by that date online at https://www.washoeschools.net/nutrition
