Nutrition Service Newsletter

ALL STUDENT MEALS ARE FREE
West Orange-Cove CISD announced its policy today that this school year,
healthy meals will be offered every school day to all students at no cost.
Typically, a student’s household must meet income eligibility requirements to
qualify for free or reduced-price meals. However, the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance that allows schools to
offer meals to all students at no cost for the 2022-2023 school year. Each
school/site or central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed
upon request.
 
While no application or eligibility determination process is required for your
student to receive free meals this school year, the income eligibility
requirement will likely resume in the 2023-2024 school year. The school
district still encourages parents to fill out the socioeconomic Form, as this
information is used by the district to apply for various educational grants. 
Regardless of the campus that your student(s) attends, there only needs to
be ONE application per household, so be sure to put all students in the
household on the application.
  
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and
policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA
programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for
benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages
other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-
3027) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and at any
USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the
form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA
by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.