Vassalboro, Waterville and Winslow National School Lunch Program Offered

Applications for free and reduced-price meals for the 2025 school year are available to families with students enrolled in Vassalboro Community School, Waterville Public Schools, or Winslow Schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Meals will be provided free of charge to students enrolled in Maine public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program due to Maine state law.

While meals are provided free of charge, it is still important to complete the application for free and reduced-price meals benefits for the 2025 school year. Students may be eligible for additional benefits, such as the USDA Summer EBT program, according to a news release from John Hersey, director of food service – Child Nutrition, Vassalboro, Waterville and Winslow Schools.

To apply, complete a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefit Application and return it to your local school district. The information provided on the application is confidential. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. A complete application is required as a condition of eligibility. A complete application includes: (1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/TANF case number, (2) names of all household members, and (3) signature and last four digits of Social Security number or indication of absence of Social Security number of the adult household member signing the application. School officials may verify current income at any time during the school year.

Children in foster care may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with which they reside.

If a family member loses their job or the size of the family changes, the family must contact the school to reapply. Such changes may make children in the family eligible.

Households will be notified of their children’s eligibility status for free or reduced-price meals. If children are not listed on the eligibility notice for families receiving SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, the household should contact the school to have free meal benefits extended to those children.

If one or more children are not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact their local school district to have free meal benefits extended to that child or children.

The Evaluation Officer of Vassalboro Community School, Waterville Public Schools or Winslow Schools will review the application and determine eligibility. If a parent/guardian is not satisfied with the Evaluation Officer’s decision, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the Hearing Officer informally or he/she may make a request orally or in writing to the School District Hearing Officer.

For more information, contact Hersey at [email protected] or 207-873-2751, ext. 4788.

Discover other upcoming events in the region!