08/11/2026
Due to changes in Federal SNAP benefits starting in July 2025, many who were previously eligible (i.e. non-citizens including refugees and asylees, Veterans, unhoused adults and former foster youth) are no longer exempt from work requirements).
If unable to meet the necessary work requirements, families are unable to access SNAP benefits. This means those who once relied on SNAP, no longer have this form of food assistance to support their family. Without qualifying for SNAP, children are not directly enrolled in F/R meals at school. It is possible that some families will still qualify for F/R meals- please apply today to learn if your family qualifies: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1643641803882&page=lunchapps
Many families will likely not know that they need to complete the F/R meals application if they were formally auto enrolled through SNAP.
Why is this important?
1.) Kids need to be fed and fed well in order to be successful emotionally and physically and succeed in their education.
2.) Families will need more support to feed their families and rely on District resources to do so (in-District pantries, PTO support, and home-to-school liasons)
3.) School lunch debt is anticipated to increase further
4.) For each student who qualifies for F/R meals, the school receives $2,400 per student to help cover education costs (Title 1 services). This revenue is crucial to maintaining the services all our students rely on.
Please encourage your friends and family to complete the F/R meal application. Share the application and offer assistance to those who may feel comfortable with your support in doing so. Link to Concord School District F/R meal application is above.
“It's worrying that there's a downturn in the free and reduced [lunch] numbers,”
Making it harder for kids to eat at school decreases learning. We need to do better. Read more at: https://www.nhpr.org/education/2026-08-07/snap-school-lunch-assistance-decline-students-work-requirements-enrollment
