Free and reduced-price meals
ALL FAMILIES SHOULD APPLY
Starting in the 2023-24 school year, all Battle Ground Public School students in kindergarten through fourth grade will have access to free breakfast and lunch at school. Students in grades five through 12 who qualify for free/reduced-price meals will receive meals at no cost.
Regardless of this change, it is important that all families, regardless of income, apply for free and reduced-price meals. Completion of this form helps inform state funding to provide the meal benefit to all K-4 families and perhaps expand access in coming years. Along with a completed Consent to Share form, families who qualify may also receive free or reduced fees for other extracurricular activities, including field trips, sports and more.
For students who purchase meals at school, prices will remain the same for the 2023-24 school year. Visit our Nutrition Information page for more information on school menus and meal prices.
PLEASE NOTE: Students wishing to take advantage of no-fee sports or other activities must have completed a new meal application and consent to share form before registering for fall sports, even if you had previous approved applications on file.
The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.
- Free and reduced-price applications must be completed each school year
- One application per household is necessary
HOW TO APPLY
Apply for meal benefits online through Skyward Family Access or download the paper application, fill out and return.
We recommend submitting your application prior to the start of school to ensure the continuation of coverage. If a new application is not submitted, you will be responsible for meal charges. When you are approved for benefits, Battle Ground Public Schools will send you a confirmation letter. If you have not received an approval letter for the current school year, you must complete an application to receive meal benefits.
Consent to share
If you qualify for free or reduced-price meals, you may also be eligible for reduced or waived fees to participate in other school programs. To see if you qualify, complete a consent to share form or check the box for “Consent to share authorization” when you complete an online application for free or reduced-price meals.
Submitting or not submitting a consent to share form will not affect your child’s eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals.
Completed forms may be scanned and emailed to Barb Kujava or mailed to the following address:
P.O. Box 200
Battle Ground, WA 98604
FAQs
Why are meals free for K-4 students this year?
The Washington legislature approved House Bill 1232 requiring school districts to provide free meals to K-4 students in schools where 40% or more of families qualify for free or reduced price meals. In 2023-24, Battle Ground Public Schools and Sodexo, our food services provider, have agreed to expand access to all K-4 students, regardless of whether their school qualifies under HB 1232.
Why should I fill out a free and reduced-price meal application?
Completion of these forms provides the state with the data necessary to determine funding for a number of programs beyond free meals. Your information remains confidential and is never sold or disclosed. In addition, families who qualify may be eligible for reduced or no-fee access to extracurricular activities, including sports, field trips and more. A completed Consent to Share form (available through Skyward) may be required to have fees waived.
I already filled out this application, why do I need to do it again this year?
During the public health emergency declared amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of Agriculture provided funding to allow all students to receive free meals and waived requirements for filing a new free/reduced application. The public health emergency has expired and families must once again file a new application in order to continue receiving benefits.
Questions?
We are here to help you!
Contact
Barbara Kujava in Business Services at
360-885-5390
kujava.barbara@battlegroundps.org
FULL MEALS
Under federal guidelines, approval of meal benefits is limited to full meals. This means that if your child wants to purchase only a milk, they will be charged full price for the milk.
A meal is
- One entrée
- Fruit/vegetables
- One milk or juice
Benefits when approved for free:
- Breakfast: Free
- Lunch: Free
Benefits when approved for reduced price:
- Breakfast: Free
- Lunch: Free
Notice of Nondiscrimination
The Battle Ground Public Schools provides equal opportunity in programs and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin/language, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, HIV/Hepatitis C status. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Contact the following regarding questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Tom Adams, Director of Student Services, adams.tom@battlegroundps.org, Title IX Compliance Officer, 360.885.5415; Michelle Reinhardt, Executive Director of Human Resources, reinhardt.michelle@battlegroundps.org, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 360.885.5481; or a letter may be submitted to the designated coordinator at the Battle Ground Public Schools, PO Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
11104 N.E. 149th Street,
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 200 
360-885-5300