Free meals for all students ended this school year
When the 2021-2022 school year ended, so did free meals for every student.
While the federal government funded a program that allowed all students access to free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress recently declined to continue funding this program. This means all families will need to carry a positive balance in their children’s school meal accounts when school begins next fall.
If your student qualifies for free or reduced meals, they can still receive them next year, here is how to make it happen.
Complete an Application for Free and Reduced Meals
Fill out the 2022-2023 online application for free and reduced meals by clicking here.
If you completed the application online before the end of the 2021-22 school year, that will give you a 30-day grace period at the start of the 2022-2023 school year to complete another application for the upcoming school year. However, you will still need to complete t
he 2022-2023 application.
For assistance completing the application or for questions, please contact the Nutrition Department at 515-278-0278.
The Johnston Community School District is an equal opportunity provider.
End of the year Lunch Account Balances
School lunch account balances remain in the student’s account from year to year. If a child transfers to another building the lunch account balance will transfer with the child to the new building.
Graduating seniors lunch account balances will be transferred to a sibling account or refunded to the parent. For children not returning to the Johnston Community School District next year, please call the nutrition department at 278-0278 to request a lunch account balance refund.