Round Rock ISD will offer free meals to students for 2021-22 school year

Round Rock ISD announced Aug. 4 that its free meal program for students would be extended through the end of the 2021-22 school year.

All students in the district will be eligible for free breakfast and lunch from the district following guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Previously, Community Impact Newspaper reported that the USDA had made an allowance to provide free meals to all students regardless of income eligibility, when Pflugerville ISD announced the extension of its free meals for all policy through the end of the 2021-22 school year.

RRISD will likely resume its income requirements for the 2022-23 school year, according to a release from the district.

To streamline the process, RRISD will begin processing applications from student households during the first 30 days of the 2021-22 school year, a year in advance. Letters will be sent to district households outlining what options are available regarding free or reduced lunch programs. Copies of the policy are also available at each campus office to review upon request.

Criteria used to determine whether a student qualifies for free or reduced price lunch include household income, whether a household receives other benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, enrollment in Head Start or Even Start, and the child's housing status.

Children already identified as eligible for free or reduced lunch will not need to file an application with the district and their households will be notified, according to the district.