School Nutrition Services Free and Reduced Meal Application
Applications must be submitted every year to qualify for free/reduced priced meals.
Previous school year application status expires on Monday, October 13, 2025. If an updated application is not received prior to this date, students will revert to paid status.
Apply Now Online
Any student attending a school that participates in the National School Meal Programs can receive a meal at school. Children from low-income families are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Participating schools receive federal funds for each breakfast and lunch served.
North Penn School District, School Nutrition Services has moved to an online school meal application. School meal applications can be submitted online using the link above. Applications are available in (6) languages; English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, and Chinese. Click play below to view our two (2) minute video on "how to complete your school meal application on School Cafe". You can also view our SchoolCafe Eligibility Quick Card for detailed instructions.
Don't have access to a computer? Paper copies are available in all school main offices and at the Educational Services Center (ESC). You may also download the application and instructions by clicking the links below:
School Meal Application Household Information Letter
School Meal Application Instructions
School Meal Application
Free/Reduced Confidentiality
Sharing Information with Other Programs Consent Form (optional)
Click here to translate the application to another language
The meal application is completely confidential. Free or reduced eligibility is based on income eligibility guidelines that are determined by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Federal Income Eligibility Requirements
Please note: Last year's status expires on October 13, 2025! Each year families must reapply for meal benefits.
Please note: NPSD recognizes many families that qualify for free and reduced meals could also use assistance with other fees students may incur outside of school nutrition services. Individuals that qualify for free and reduced lunch via the online application or paper application may also have these additional fees waived. If you do not wish to receive fee assistance, please notify NPSD at [email protected].
Who is Eligible for Free and Reduced-Priced School Meals?
> Children in households with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for free school meals.
> Children in households with incomes between 130 to 185 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for reduced-price school meals and can be charged no more than 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.
> Children in households participating in the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations as well as foster youth, migrant, homeless, or runaway youth, and Head Start participants are "categorically eligible" for free meals.
> Children from families with incomes above 185 percent of the federal poverty level may purchase a "paid meal." Prices for paid meals are set by grade level and can be found under "meal prices."
Learn more about Xfinity reduced price Internet Essentials access
Other Community Support Information
SNAP Application Information
Manna on Main Information
SUN Bucks Resources for Families:
DHS and their County Assistance Offices offer family support for SUN Bucks.
The DHS SUN Bucks webpage for families can be found here: http://www.dhs.pa.gov/SunBucks. This webpage provides information about the benefit, Frequently Asked Questions, the SUN Bucks family application, and an eligibility navigator tool to help families determine if they need to apply.
County Assistance Offices can provide family support for all SUN Bucks questions. A CAO locator tool is found here: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/services/assistance/pages/cao-contact.aspx
Families should contact DHS with their specific SUN Bucks benefit questions at 877-395-8930 or 215-560-7226 if they live in Philadelphia.
General SUN Buck Information for Families:
-SUN Bucks cards should be retained by families for future benefits.
Students are automatically eligible for 2025 SUN Bucks if any of the following is true:
-Attended an NSLP school in 24-25 SY and is Directly Certified (meaning receives SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid with qualifying income) any time between 7/1/2024 – 8/31/2025.
-Attended an NSLP school in 24-25 SY and is eligible for free/reduced-price school meals due to a household meal application or by being in other eligible categories (homeless, foster, migrant, runaway, Head Start) any time between 7/1/2024 – 8/31/2025.
-Attended a non-NSLP school but received SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid with qualifying income any time between 7/1/2024-8/31/2025 and are of compulsory age (6-18 years old).
Families of children who are not automatically eligible for 2025 SUN Bucks should visit the DHS SUN Bucks webpage to (1) use the Eligibility Navigator tool to see if their child is eligible or if they should apply for the benefit, and (2) to fill out a SUN Bucks application if needed. SUN Bucks applications for 2025 must be submitted by 8/31/2025.
Where can I get more information on SUNBUCKS?
For more information about SUNBUCKS, please visit:
https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs/resources/summer-ebt.html
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.