Parents are urged to complete the forms now to avoid back-to-school rush

Although the start of school is weeks away, Houston Independent School District Nutrition Services is urging all parents and guardians to complete the student applications for free and reduced-price meals online as soon as possible to ensure their child’s school gets the proper state and federal funding.

The National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program applications and surveys are now available at https://mealapps.houstonisd.org. They can also be accessed by visiting the HISD Nutrition Services website and clicking on the “One Form Means So Much” button on the right side of the page.

The applications allow parents to apply for free or reduced-price lunch for their children. Some schools in the district are designated Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) sites, where students eat breakfast and lunch free daily. However, these students must also complete forms, since meal applications from all students will help determine state and federal funding for HISD schools. In addition, students may also qualify for additional benefits under the state and federal programs by completing the application. Even parents who know their child will not be eating school food or will not qualify for free or reduced-price meals are urged to fill out an application since they determine funding for each school.

Only one application is needed per household. If the meal form is filled out online, it will not need to be completed again once the school year starts in August. However, reapplication for school meal benefits is required every year, even if the student received free or reduced-priced meals the previous school year.

For more information on the National School Lunch/School Breakfast Program or to receive help completing the online form, call 713-491-5944.