What Does It Mean to Qualify for Free Meals Under USDA’s Offer vs. Serve (OVS) Program?
Under the National School Lunch Program, students qualify for free reimbursable meals based on federal income guidelines or schoolwide eligibility (like HB 1238). Here’s how it works with Offer vs. Serve (OVS):
Free Meal Benefit:
The first reimbursable breakfast and lunch each day are free for qualifying students.
No cost to the student, but the meal must meet USDA requirements.
Offer vs. Serve Rules (Min. 3 Components):
Students must select at least 3 of 5 meal components (e.g., protein, grain, fruit, vegetable, milk).
Example: A lunch with a sandwich (grain + protein), fruit, and milk qualifies as a free reimbursable meal.
Extra Items = À La Carte:
Additional servings or snacks (e.g., a second entrée, juice, or extra milk) are not free and will be charged separately.
Why It Matters: OVS reduces food waste while ensuring students receive nutritious meals. Even if your child’s school offers free meals to all (like HB 1238), completing a household application helps fund other critical programs!
Schools with Free Meals for All Students
Schools with free student meals
Seattle Public Schools has several schools that will offer free meals (breakfast and lunch) for all students. See a list of schools that will offer free meals for all students.
The afterschool snack component of the National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted snack service that fills the afternoon hunger gap for school children. Learn more about Afterschool Snacks.
Instead of breakfast being served before school, all students have the opportunity to access and eat a healthy breakfast alongside their peers, after the start of the instructional day. Learn more about Breakfast After the Bell.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides all enrolled students in participating elementary schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day—separate from the lunch or breakfast meal in one or more areas of the school.
The program’s main goal is to create a healthier school environment by expanding students’ access to a variety of produce, increasing produce consumption, and promoting healthy food choices.
House Bill 1238 (HB 1238) requires Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to provide meals at no cost to students enrolled at elementary schools where 30% or more of children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. This requirement is based on the preceding year’s October Building Data.
You should complete the student free meals application if:
Your household income is the SAME or LESS than the amount on the income chart below.
You receive Basic Food.
You take part in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
You receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
You are applying for a foster child.
Why Apply?
Students approved for free and reduced-price meals may also be eligible to receive reduced fees for the following programs:
Event Fees
Field Trips
Running Start Books
Associated Student Body (ASB) Fees
Pre-College Exams (PSAT/SAT/ACT)
College Application Fees
Income Chart
USDA Child Nutrition Program Income Guidelines Effective July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Family Size
Yearly Gross Income
Monthly Gross Income
Twice Per Month Gross Income
Every Two Weeks Gross Income
Weekly Gross Income
1
$28,953
$2,413
$1,207
$1,114
$557
2
$39,128
$3,261
$1,631
$1,505
$753
3
$49,303
$4,109
$2,055
$1,897
$949
4
$59,478
$4,957
$2,479
$2,288
$1,144
5
$69,653
$5,805
$2,903
$2,679
$1,340
6
$79,828
$6,653
$3,327
$3,071
$1,536
7
$90,003
$7,501
$3,751
$3,462
$1,731
8
$100,178
$8,349
$4,175
$3,853
$1,927
For each additional family member, add:
+$10,175
+$848
+$424
+$392
+$196
How to Apply
We encourage all eligible families to submit a new application for school meals prior to the start of each new school year. However, applications are accepted anytime throughout the school year.
The application can be submitted online. Paper applications are also available below and at every school office and lunchroom.
