It can be difficult to make ends meet, especially when you have children to worry about. The federal government tries to ease the financial burden by offering free and reduced lunch programs. These allow students discounted rates on cafeteria food based on the net income of their family. As the name would suggest, there's a range of price reductions that you may qualify for. In other words, it isn’t all or nothing. They are administered on a need-based system, offering support to those families who may not otherwise be able to properly feed their children.
Pretty much all public schools send home forms with students at the beginning of each school year that serve as an application for these programs. However, if you don't receive this form or if your employment situation should change for any reason, you're able to apply for a free and reduced lunch program at any time during the year by visiting the United States Department of Agriculture website, under the Food and Nutrition Service sector.
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