Free/Reduced Meal Application for 2021-22

Free/Reduced Meal Application for 2021-22

Welcome to the 2021-22 school year! Please see below for important information regarding free meals for students, National School Lunch Program applications, and the new "MyMealtime" application.

Free Meals Available for All Students

Earlier this year, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved key waivers that allow school districts to continue serving free meals to all children. This means that all District 97 students are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch free of charge for the entire 2021-22 school year.

Free/Reduced Meal Application

Although students will receive free meals, parents/guardians will need to be approved for a school fee waiver. In order to be considered for a school fee waiver and other state programs, families must submit the 2021-22 Free and Reduced Meal Application and be approved. For example, families who completed the Free and Reduced Meal Application and were approved qualified to take part in the state P-EBT program that was offered last school year. 

We encourage all families who currently qualify to take a few minutes to complete the National School Lunch application as soon as possible. There are several options for completing and submitting your application (see below).

*NEW* Submit Your Application Online

Filling out and submitting a Free and Reduced Meal Application is a quick and easy two-step process when you use Mealtime Apply Online!

Step 1: Create a profile (you will need your student ID#).

  • Visit www.mymealtime.com/apps.
  • If you already have a Mealtime account, you can access the application from there—just log in. 

Step 2:  Start your application.

  • Click the "New Application" button.
  • From the Mealtime account, click the orange banner or box.

Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to set up a Mealtime account and complete the application.

Paper/PDF Applications

For those parents who do not have access to a computer, or those who prefer not to use the online system, paper applications (available in English and Spanish) are available to download from the district website or your student’s school website. You can also ask for one at any of the school offices or at the district office. Only one application per household, per school district is needed. Completed applications can be dropped off at your student’s school or the district office (260 Madison St.), or emailed to the district's food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at [email protected]. You can also fax the application to 708-524-3019.