In a bid to ensure equitable access to nutrition for all students, Great Neck Public Schools has recently unveiled a free and reduced-price meal policy aimed at benefiting schoolchildren in its area.

The policy outlines several categories through which students can qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, emphasizing inclusivity and support for families in need.

Under the new guidelines, households that include children currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits, or benefits from the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) can apply for free or reduced-price school meals.

The application requires the child’s name, a valid SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household member. The benefits extend to all children within the household, provided the household meets the criteria.

Families will receive notifications from the School Food Authority when their children’s eligibility for free meals is confirmed through their participation in the SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR programs. If the household has already been informed by the SFA about their children’s direct certification, there is no need to submit an application.

For households with children designated as Other Source Categorically Eligible, eligibility for free meals is also granted. This category includes homeless, migrant, runaway and foster children, and those enrolled in Head Start or an eligible pre-kindergarten program. Foster children, regardless of income, are eligible for free meals. Moreover, if foster children are part of a foster family that also applies for meal benefits for non-foster children, the entire household might qualify.

Families enrolled in Assistance Programs or Other Source Categorically Eligible Programs are urged to ensure their children are listed for free meal benefits. If omitted, parents or guardians should contact the school or submit an income application. Additionally, households with income at or below specified thresholds for family size are encouraged to apply for free or reduced-price meals.

Families will receive notifications from the School Food Authority when their children’s eligibility for free meals is confirmed through their participation in the SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR programs. If the household has already been informed by the SFA about their children’s direct certification, there is no need to submit an application.

Families whose income aligns within or falls below the specified thresholds for their family size are potentially eligible for free or reduced-price meals. To initiate the process, households can complete the Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals, which is typically provided along with a letter to parents. A single application for all children within the household is sufficient.

If needed, additional copies of the application are available at the principal’s office in each school. Applications can be submitted at any point during the school year and should be directed to James Gounaris, director of Food and Nutrition. For inquiries related to the application procedure, contact Gounaris at (516) 441-4090.

Children in households receiving Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the application process.

The policy ensures a grace period at the beginning of the school year of  up to 30 days during which a child’s previous year’s eligibility status will continue. However, once this period ends, unless a household is directly certified or an application is approved, meals will be charged at the paid rate.

The details in the application form are confidential and will serve as a basis for determining eligibility. Participant names and their eligibility status may also be utilized for the distribution of funds to federal education initiatives like Title I and the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Similarly, this information may be employed for state health or education programs, provided they are administered by the State agency or local education agency, and for federal, state, or local means-tested nutrition programs adhering to eligibility standards akin to the NSLP. Eligibility data may also be shared with programs authorized under the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) or the Child Nutrition Act (CNA).

However, any disclosure of information to programs or entities not explicitly sanctioned by the NSLA will necessitate written consent from the parent or guardian.

The School Food Authority does, however, have the right to verify at any time during the school year the information on the application. If a parent does not give the school this information, the child/children will no longer be able to receive free or reduced-price meals.

As stipulated by the policy, the assigned authority will meticulously assess applications and ascertain eligibility. Should a parent express dissatisfaction with the decision rendered by the designated authority, they retain the option to formally or informally request a hearing to challenge the verdict.

Dr. Kenneth R. Bossert, Superintendent of Schools, who’s address is at 345 Lakeville Road, Great Neck, NY 11020, is the Hearing Official. The policy delineates the procedures for hearings. Nonetheless, prior to commencing the hearing process, either the parent or the School Food Authority can propose a conference.

This facilitates an avenue for the parent and the official to engage in a discussion, present information, and acquire a clarification on the data submitted in the application or the subsequent decisions. It is important to note that the pursuit of a conference does not in any way compromise or diminish the right to a fair hearing.

Only complete applications can be approved. This includes complete and accurate information regarding: the SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number; the names of all household members; on an income application, the last four digits of the Social SecurityNumber of the person who signs the form or an indication that the adult does not have one, and the amount and source of income received by each household member. In addition, the parent or guardian must sign the application form, certifying the information is true and correct.

In adhering to child feeding program operations, the policy asserts a commitment to non-discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, or limited English proficiency.