School breakfasts, lunches and milk to be free again this year at many South Dakota Schools

With a new school year starting, the South Dakota Department of Education is offering districts the option to serve all student meals free of charge through the US Department of Agriculture National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.

Flexibilities for grab-and-go or delivered meals may also continue through school year 2021-22.

Both the Pierre and the Stanley County School Districts are offering free, initial servings of meals and milk again this year. There is a fee for 2nd and subsequent servings.

Alternately, some school districts can choose to operate a traditional school lunch program. In this situation, families may apply for free milk or free and reduced-price meals for their children for school year 2021-22 according to guidelines effective July 1, 2021. To learn more, families should contact the administrative office of their local school or agency.

Income scales below are used to determine applicant eligibility for free or reduced-price meals if the household is at or below the guidelines.

INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

(Effective from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022)