On March 17, 2023, Governor Walz signed the Minnesota Free School Meals bill into law. The Minnesota Free School Meals Program is a permanent program that provides state reimbursement to schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program so that students can have one breakfast and one lunch at no cost at school. The Free School Meals Program began on July 1, 2023.

No. Congregate meal service is required in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Meals may not be taken off campus, sent home, delivered, or picked up by parents or others.

It is important for families to complete the Application for Educational Benefits. Applications for Educational Benefits determine how much funding your child's school receives for educational programs and supports. Additionally, eligible families can qualify for other benefits, such as:

• WIC Benefits
• FCC Affordable Connectivity Program / Reduced Price internet programs
• Some summer camps, athletics programs and/or child cares offer scholarships or discounts.

• At breakfast, the student must choose at least 3 items to be counted as a reimbursable meal. The student must choose a 1/2 cup serving of fruit or vegetable as part of their breakfast.
• At lunch, the student must choose at least 3 components to be counted as a reimbursable meal. The student must choose a 1/2 cup serving of fruit or vegetable as part of their lunch.

• Extra carton of milk or milk only
  • Each breakfast and lunch meal includes one carton of milk. Extra milks or selecting milk only for meals brought from home must be purchased for $0.55 per carton.
• Snack and a la carte items
• Second entrée
• A second breakfast or a second lunch
• Meals that do not meet the minimum requirements
• Meals served to teachers, staff, and other adults

Families may make deposits to their children's meal accounts in order to purchase extra items.

Yes. Even though meals are free, students must still enter their PIN when going through the breakfast line (6-12 students) and lunch line (K-12 students). A student's account PIN can be found in their Infinite Campus Portal. Once logged in, click on "More" on the left hand side of the screen and then click on "User Information" to display their user ID and account PIN. Account PINs should remain confidential.