Nearly 80% of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) enrolled students qualifies for meals that are free or are available at a reduced cost. Children who buy their lunch also benefit from support by the federal and state government that ensures the meals are sold at a reasonable cost.
It is district policy to serve nutritious meals every school day under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Effective July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals if the household income is less than or equal to the federal guidelines.
Meals are served every school day. At elementary schools, the full price of student breakfast is $2.25 and lunch is $3.00; at middle schools breakfast is $2.50 and lunch is $3.25 and at high schools breakfast is $2.75 and lunch is $3.50.
Students who are eligible to pay a lower price may receive breakfast for $.30 and lunch for $.40.
No application is required for many students because Los Angeles Unified participates in Direct Certification. If your household currently receives CalFresh, or if your child receives California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits, or Medi-Cal Program benefits, your child will qualify for free or reduced price meals.
For families who need to apply to determine eligibility, only one application is required for all students in a “household,” defined as a group of related or non-related individuals who are living as one economic unit and sharing living expenses. “Living expenses” include rent, clothes, food, doctor bills and utility bills.
If the total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the income scale below, your child may qualify to receive meals at free or reduced price.
For more information, visit the district website at lausd.net.