My Benton County, Arkansas

Free and Reduced School Lunch

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What is the Free and Reduced Lunch Program?

The Free and Reduced Lunch Program helps families save money on school meals. If your family qualifies, your kids can get free breakfast and lunch at school, or pay less money for their meals.

Why Should I Apply?

  • Your children get healthy meals at school
  • You save money on food costs
  • Your kids get the food they need to learn and grow
  • It’s completely private – other students won’t know your family is in the program

Who Can Get Free or Reduced Lunch?

Your family might qualify if:

  • You get SNAP (food stamps) or TANF benefits
  • Your children are in foster care
  • Your family’s income is below certain amounts (see the chart below)
  • Your children are homeless, runaway, or migrant

Income Chart (2024-2025 School Year)

To get reduced-price meals, your yearly family income must be less than:

  • Family of 2: $36,482
  • Family of 3: $45,991
  • Family of 4: $55,500
  • Family of 5: $65,009
  • Family of 6: $74,518
  • Add $9,509 for each extra family member

To get free meals, your yearly family income must be less than:

  • Family of 2: $25,636
  • Family of 3: $32,318
  • Family of 4: $39,000
  • Family of 5: $45,682
  • Family of 6: $52,364
  • Add $6,682 for each extra family member

How to Apply

  1. Get an application from your child’s school or school district website (read on for specific information for your school district)
  2. Fill out the application with:
    • Names of all people in your home
    • How much money everyone earns
    • Your SNAP or TANF case number (if you have one)
  3. Turn in the application to your school

What Happens Next?

  • The school will read your application
  • They will send you a letter saying if you qualify
  • If you qualify, your children can start getting free or reduced-price meals right away
  • You only need to apply once each school year

Need Help?

  • Ask your school’s front office for help filling out the form
  • Call your school district’s food service office
  • Everything you tell them is private

Good to Know

  • You can apply any time during the school year
  • If your income changes or your family size grows, you can apply again
  • The program is the same in all public schools
  • Schools keep your information private
  • Children who get free or reduced lunch are treated the same as all other students

Remember: Every family who needs help feeding their children should apply. School meals are good for kids and help them learn better!

How to Sign Up in Your School District

How to Sign Up in Springdale, Arkansas

If your child attends Springdale Public Schools, here’s how to apply:

  1. Choose how to apply:
    • Apply online through the EZMealApp website
    • Get a paper form from any Springdale school
    • Call 479-750-8707 to request a form
  2. For online applications:
    • Go to www.springdaleschools.org
    • Click on “Departments”
    • Click on “Child Nutrition”
    • Click “Free and Reduced Meals Application”
    • This will take you to EZMealApp to fill out your form
  3. For paper applications:
    • Fill out all parts of the form
    • Return it to any Springdale school
    • Or mail it to: Child Nutrition Department, 804 W. Johnson Ave, Springdale, AR 72764

Translation help is available! Springdale schools provide applications in English, Spanish, and Marshallese.

Questions? Call the Springdale Child Nutrition Department at 479-750-8707

How to Sign Up in Rogers, Arkansas

If your child attends Rogers Public Schools, here’s how to apply:

  1. Choose how to apply:
    • Apply online at www.rogersschools.net (click on “School Meals”)
    • Get a paper form from any Rogers school office
    • Call 479-631-3539 to ask for a form by mail
  2. For online applications:
    • Go to www.rogersschools.net
    • Click on “Departments”
    • Click on “Child Nutrition”
    • Look for “Free and Reduced Meal Application”
    • Fill out all information online
  3. For paper applications:
    • Fill out all parts of the form
    • Return it to any Rogers school
    • Or mail it to: Rogers Public Schools, Child Nutrition Office, 500 W. Walnut Street, Rogers, AR 72756

Need translation help? Rogers schools can provide applications in Spanish and other languages – just ask!

Questions? Call the Rogers Child Nutrition Office at 479-631-3539

How to Sign Up in Bentonville, Arkansas

If your child attends Bentonville Public Schools:

  1. Choose how to apply:
    • Apply online through the EZMealApp website (recommended)
    • Get a paper form from any Bentonville school
    • Call 479-254-5010 to request a form
  2. For online applications:
    • Visit www.bentonvillek12.org
    • Click on “Departments”
    • Select “Child Nutrition”
    • Click “Free and Reduced Meal Applications”
    • This takes you to EZMealApp
  3. For paper applications:
    • Fill out the form completely
    • Return it to any Bentonville school
    • Or mail it to: Child Nutrition Department, 500 Tiger Blvd, Bentonville, AR 72712

Translation services are available – just ask!

Questions? Call Bentonville Child Nutrition at 479-254-5010

How to Sign Up in Siloam Springs, Arkansas

If your child attends Siloam Springs Schools:

  1. Ways to apply:
    • Apply online at www.siloamschools.com
    • Get a paper form from any Siloam Springs school
    • Call 479-524-3191 ext. 1014 for help
  2. For online applications:
    • Go to www.siloamschools.com
    • Click “Departments”
    • Select “Food Services”
    • Look for “Free and Reduced Meals”
  3. For paper applications:
    • Return completed forms to any school
    • Or mail to: Food Services, 847 S. Dogwood St, Siloam Springs, AR 72761

Questions? Call 479-524-3191 ext. 1014

How to Sign Up in Pea Ridge, Arkansas

If your child attends Pea Ridge Schools:

  1. How to apply:
    • Get a paper form from any Pea Ridge school
    • Download the form from www.pearidgek12.com
    • Call 479-451-0092 to request a form
  2. Return your application:
    • Give it to any Pea Ridge school office
    • Mail to: School Nutrition, 979 Weston St, Pea Ridge, AR 72751

Questions? Call 479-451-0092

How to Sign Up in Gentry, Arkansas

If your child attends Gentry Public Schools:

  1. How to apply:
    • Get an application from any Gentry school
    • Download from www.gentrypioneers.com
    • Call 479-736-2666 to request a form
  2. Return your application:
    • Turn in at any Gentry school
    • Mail to: Food Services Department, 201 S Giles Ave, Gentry, AR 72734

Questions? Call 479-736-2666

How to Sign Up in Gravette, Arkansas

If your child attends Gravette Schools:

  1. How to apply:
  2. Return your application:
    • Turn in at any Gravette school
    • Mail to: School Nutrition, 609 Birmingham St SE, Gravette, AR 72736

Questions? Call 479-787-4100

How to Sign Up in Decatur, Arkansas

If your child attends Decatur Schools:

  1. How to apply:
    • Get a form from the school office
    • Download from www.decatursd.com
    • Call 479-752-3986 to request a form
  2. Return your application:
    • Turn in at the school office
    • Mail to: Decatur School District, 1498 Stadium Ave, Decatur, AR 72722

Questions? Call 479-752-3986

For More Information

Visit: USA.gov