Free Reduced Meals
At the beginning of each school year, a new application for free or reduced priced meals must be filled out for every household. Only one application per household needs to be completed. Please fill out the application completely listing each school age child at the top and being sure to list all preschool and college age children under members of household. The form must be signed and include the signatory's social security number.
Translated applications:
English (English)
Spanish (Español)
Arabic (العربية)
French (Français)
Families are encouraged to apply online
Applications for free/reduced meals can be found here (PDF or Word), or can be requested at your child's school.
Families may apply for free and reduced price meals at any time during the school year. If you are not eligible now but have a decrease in household income, increase in household size, become unemployed, or get food stamps or TANF benefits, you may complete a new form. If your income increases you do not need to report the change until the following school year.
The first thirty (30) school days students or until a new application is received, students will continue to have the status (free, reduced, paid) as they were when school closed for the summer. On the 31st day, if a new form has not been received, the student will no longer receive free or reduced lunch until a new application has been submitted and reviewed.
The federal government requires that each school district verify or check for accuracy three percent of all applications received by October 1. Should your application be randomly selected, a member of the school nutrition staff will gladly assist you in this verification process.
If you disagree with the school's decision on your application for free/reduced priced meals you may appeal the decision by contacting:
Johanna Prince, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
130 Wescott Road, South Portland, Maine 04106
email princejo@spsdme.org phone 207-871-0555
All information on free/reduced applications is kept confidential and is not shared. Occasionally an opportunity for low income families arises (scholarships, financial assistance) that requires sharing of lunch status. If you would like to be considered for such opportunities please complete this form and return it to Shawn Perry, 130 Wescott Road, South Portland, Maine 04106. For more information please contact Shawn Perry at 207-767-3266 ext. 3842 perrysh@spsdme.org