Superintendent Arntzen Announces District Participation in Free and Reduced School Meals

• Brian O'Leary
• July 31 2024

HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen has released the list of Montana school districts [vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me] that will participate in the free and reduced-price school meals or free milk programs during the 2024-2025 school year. Districts are reimbursed for free and reduced-price school meals through the US Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program policy guidelines.

“These precious federal tax dollars provide nutritious meals to our children during the school day,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “During the 2022-2023 school year, nearly 40% of Montana students qualified for the free and reduced-price price meal program. Thank you to all of our Montana school nutrition specialists for putting Montana student’s nutrition first.”

There are two free and reduced-price school meal programs, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and the Pricing programs. Districts participating in the CEP do not require families to apply for benefits using a household application. Districts participating in the Pricing program do require families to submit a household application [vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me]. Children may be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals or free milk if household income is within the limits of income eligibility [vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me]. For further information on applying, please see the frequently asked questions [vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me] or contact the child’s school.

Children from households that receive assistance from the following are automatically enrolled in the program for free meals or milk; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Children who meet the definition of homeless, migrant, runaway, and foster or are enrolled in Head Start as defined in § 245.2 [vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me], CFR, are also eligible for free meals or milk programs.

Children who qualify for the new Medicaid direct certification or have parents or guardians who become unemployed or are enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may be eligible for either free or reduced-price meals. Reduced-price meals have a cost of $0.40 for the National School Lunch Program and $0.30 for the School Breakfast Program.

Households that do not agree with an application decision may appeal the decision under the hearing procedure outlined in § 245.7 [vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me], CFR.

Nondiscrimination Statement:

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, [vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me] from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632- 9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. MAIL:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

1. FAX:

(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

1. EMAIL:

program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.