During the 2021-22 school year, additional funding from the federal government allowed schools nationwide to offer all students, regardless of their family’s income, free breakfast and lunch while at school.
Because that funding was discontinued as of June 2022, school districts, including the Fayetteville-Manlius School District, must transition back to charging students for school meals and requiring the formal application process for students to participate in the National School Lunch Program, which is the federally assisted program that allows eligible students to receive free or reduced-price school meals.
Any family can apply for free or reduced-price meals regardless if they think they are eligible. Families who may not have qualified for the program prior to universal free meals being put into place last year may now be income-eligible due to lost jobs or reduced work hours. As of July 2019, students in New York state that are approved for reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch meals at no charge.
In addition to receiving free or reduced-price school meals, there are additional benefits to participating in the National School Lunch Program, including reduced fees for students taking such exams as the SAT.
Information about applying for free or reduced-price meals is available on the Food Service Department section of the district website. Questions may also be directed to School Lunch Manager Adam Jarosz at ajarosz@fmschools.org or 315-692-1809.