NEVADA – In an effort to ensure students have access to nutritious meals, the Carson City School District has launched a program to provide free lunch to all students during the upcoming school year. By participating in the National School Lunch (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the After School Snack Program (ASCP), the district aims to eliminate food insecurity among its students.

Thanks to funding from the state of Nevada, the Carson City School District can extend free meals to all students across its sites for the entirety of the 2023-2024 academic year. This initiative builds upon programs that were initially introduced in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The primary objective of this program is to ensure that every student, regardless of their family’s income, has access to wholesome and nourishing meals. According to Elizabeth Martinez, Director of Nutrition, a well-fed child is more likely to excel academically, highlighting the importance of this program in supporting students’ overall well-being.

Martinez expressed her hope that this program will have a lasting impact. She stated, “Lawmakers nationwide are working to make this a permanent thing through universal free meals and hopefully Nevada will be next.”

Families still have the option to submit Free and Reduced applications for meal benefits. Qualification based on Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) can lead to not only free or reduced-priced meals but also additional support for expenses like internet costs and testing fees.

Applying for Free and Reduced meal benefits not only aids in securing nutritious meals but also provides families with documentation that can assist with various educational costs. Application forms, along with instructions for completion, are readily available at all school sites and can also be accessed online at www.carsoncityschools.com.

Credits: Fox Reno

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