RSU 16 Food Service Program: Free & Reduced Meal Information & Frequently Asked Questions

Parent or Guardian:

Children need healthy meals to learn. The RSU 16 Food Service Program is committed to and offers healthy meals every school day. Regular Breakfast costs $1.00 for grades K-12; regular lunch costs $2.00, grades K-6; $2.25 grades 7-12.

Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. There is no charge for a reduced price breakfast and only $.40 for a reduced price lunch.

Applying for free and reduced meals for your family is easy and the process is completely confidential. The Free and Reduced School Meal Application can be downloaded by clicking here.

After you have filled out the application, you may drop it off at any of our district schools or at the Central Office of RSU 16 in Poland.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do I need to fill out an application for each child?

A: No. Complete the application to apply for free or reduced price meals. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meal Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to any District School or to the Central Office, RSU 16, 3 Aggregate Road, Poland, ME 04274; if you have questions about the form, you may call any district school or by calling the Central Office at 998-2727 extension 113.

Q: Who can get free meals?

A: Children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly the Food Stamp Program), or getting TANF, and most foster children can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free meals if your household income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Guidelines.

Q: Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals?

A: Please contact Gary Chapin, RSU 16 Homeless, Runaway & Migrant Coordinator, to see if your child(ren) qualify, if you have not been informed that they will get free meals.

Q: Who can get reduced price meals?

A: Your children can get low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Chart, shown below.

Q: Should I fill out an application if I got a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free or reduced price meals?

A: Please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Call any District School or the Central Office, RSU 16 at 998-2727 x113, if you have questions.

Q: I get WIC. Can my child(ren) get free meals?

A: Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.

Q: Will the information I give be checked?

A: Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.

Q: If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?

A: Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year if your household size goes up, income goes down, or if you start receiving SNAP or getting TANF or other benefits. If you lose your job, your children may be able to get free or reduced price meals.

Q: What if I disagree with the school's decision about my application?

A: You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to Dennis J. Duquette, Superintendent, 3 Aggregate Road, Poland, ME 04274 or phone 998-2727 x108.

Q: May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?

A: Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for free or reduced price meals.

Q: Whom should I include as members of my household?

A: You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends). You must include yourself and all children who live with you.

Q: What if my income is not always the same?

A: List the amount that you normally get. For example, if you normally get $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes.

Q: We are in the military do we include our housing allowance as income?

A: If your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. All other allowances must be included in your gross income

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202)0720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.