Lunch Program

Free and Reduced Price Meal Benefits

Direct Certification for Free Meal Benefits

• If your student is receiving Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) he or she most likely will receive a direct certification letter for free meal benefits from the Illinois Department of Human Services.
• Bring this letter to the District Food Service Office, school office, or school kitchen where your student attends.
• The Food Service Office must receive this letter in order to enter it into the Valley View system for free meal benefits, and waiver of fees.

Application Process

• Free and reduced-price meals are available to students unable to pay the full price according to criteria based on household size and income.  Household is defined as all those persons living under the same roof and functioning as one economic unit.
• Applications are available in English and Spanish.
• Completed application should be taken to the District Food Service Office at 755 Luther Drive, Romeoville, for approval. They may also be taken to your student's school, however it will take longer for your application to be approved because it will have to be sent to the District office.
• Approval/Denial letters will be sent to your home within 5 days of receiving your application. If you are approved, it will state if the approval is for free or reduced priced benefits.
• Applications are mailed to all households in July of each year. They are also available at every school office, school kitchen and at registration.
• An approved application is good only for the school year printed at the top of the application.  Families must reapply for benefits each school year.
• Students approved for free meal benefits will receive the school lunch and/or breakfast at no charge. Posted prices for a la carte items will apply.
• Students approved for reduced price meal benefits will be charged $.25 for breakfast, and $.40 for lunch.  Posted prices for a la carte items will apply.

Waiver of Fees

Students approved for FREE meal benefits may be eligible for a partial waiver of their student fees.   What is the process?

• Apply for free/reduced meal benefits.
• If and when your application is approved, you will receive an approval letter from the Food Service office. Take this approval letter to registration.
• Your student's school office personnel will process the waiver of fees based on the Food Service approval letter for free meal benefits.