National School Lunch Program

State of Ohio Budget Includes Reduced-Price Meal Funding

The Ohio Department of Education is thrilled to announce the State of Ohio FY24-FY25 biennial budget includes funding to cover the cost of providing no-cost breakfast and no-cost lunch to students qualifying for reduced-price meals. Starting in school year 2023-2024, the budget language requires public and chartered nonpublic schools that participate in the National School Breakfast or Lunch Program to provide a breakfast and lunch at no cost to each student eligible for a reduced-price breakfast or lunch. The state will then reimburse the schools 30 cents per reduced-price breakfast served and 40 cents per reduced-price lunch served. On the effective date of Oct. 3, 2023, the budget bill requires all participating schools to provide the no-cost meal to each eligible student although schools may and are encouraged to start the school year without collecting money from reduced-price students.

Schools will continue to certify students for free or reduced meals and count and claim meals as free, reduced or paid. Schools simply will not collect money from reduced-price eligible students starting in school year 2023-2024. The Department will share additional updates as the process for reimbursing schools for the reduced-price breakfasts and lunches served is finalized.


The following are forms, fact sheets, and links to federal regulations and policy memorandums from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) that pertain to the administration of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

Information about the National School Lunch Program

Administering the Program

Application Materials

  • USDA Prototype Applications and sample instructional documents are available to assist state and local officials in the design and distribution of application materials on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website and include the following documents:
    • Prototype Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
    • Prototype Household Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
    • Prototype Household Letters for State and Local Agencies
    • Web-Based Prototype Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
  • Current NSLP application templates are available in the Claims Reimbursement and Reporting System (CRRS). Go to Applications, then Download Forms. Forms available in the CRRS include the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application with Fee Waiver, Price Meal Application without Fee Waiver, and Special Milk Program Application. 
  • Translated Applications for limited English proficiency: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/translated-applications

Civil Rights

Claims Reimbursement and Reporting System (CRRS)

System used by schools and community agencies enrolled in USDA child nutrition programs through ODE to submit required data and apply for meal reimbursements.

Procurement

Procurement templates are available to child nutrition program sponsors in the Claims Reimbursement and Reporting System (CRRS). Go to Applications, then Download forms to access templates.
Preapproved Equipment List

Guidance, Handbooks, Regulations, and Policy Memorandums

For the most recent guidance and resources, handbooks, legislation, policy memos, press releases, and regulation updates on the National School Lunch Program, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service websites linked above.

Meal Pattern & Menu Planning

Provision 2 Resources

Prior approval from the Office of Nutrition is required for participation in Provision 2.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Non-Discrimination Statement

Last Modified: 9/26/2023 11:20:47 AM