The School District of Indian River County offers a choice of healthy meals each school day. All meals served meet the nutrition standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We do NOT fry any foods.
The School Meals Program is subsidized for low income families. Children who qualify under the U.S. Department Agriculture guidelines may get meals free or for the reduced price of 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.
Who can get free or reduced price meals?
Children in households getting Food Stamps or TANF, and most foster children can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, if your household income is within the limits on the Federal Income Guidelines, your children can get free or reduced price meals.
How do I apply?
You must return a completed application to the cafeteria manager or mail it to Food & Nutrition Services at 1426 19th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Processing can take up to 10 working days.
You can obtain a copy of the lunch application from:
- the cafeteria of any school
- the office of Food & Nutrition Services at 1426 19th Street.
If you have any questions about the application, please call 564-4983.
Do I need an application for each child/school?
No, Indian River processes family applications. List all students on one application. The only exception is that each foster child must be on a separate application.
Is an application needed every year?
Yes, you must submit a new application every year.
What happens while I'm waiting for my application to be processed?
Until our office processes the application, your children must pay full price for meals. At the beginning of the school year, a grace period is given to students who were in the program last year. Usually 30 days is given. If you are the parent of a kindergarten child and your other children were on the subsidized part of the program last year, please notify our office (564-4983) of this fact. We will give the new student the same grace period. Remember, you must complete an application each year.
How will I know my application has been approved?
Call toll free (866)887-3409. You will need the 6-digit student ID# to learn if your child has been approved for free or reduced-price lunches. Our goal is to process your application within 10 working days.
Will the information on my application be checked?
Yes, we may ask you to send written proof of the information you give.
If I don't qualify now, may I apply again later?
Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. Submit a new application if your household size goes up, your income goes down, or if you start getting Food Stamps or TANF. If you lose your job, your children may be able to get free or reduced price meals.
Credit Limits
In the event that a student's balance drops below zero, students are allowed to charge meals up to $20.00 in elementary schools, $10.00 in middle schools, and $5.00 in high schools. Once this limit is reached, the student will be served alternate meals until the amount owed is paid. Additionally, courtesy phone messages will go out to parents whose children's accounts have an outstanding balance.
For your convenience, prepayments can be made to your child's meal account online at https://www.mealpayplus.com/ or by calling (866)606-7084.
Meals for the Elderly
Since 1997, the Food Service Department has supplied meals to the elderly. Under the direction of Lisa Jones, Food Service Manager at the Freshman Learning Center Campus, approximately 400 elderly residents receive healthy, hot lunches each weekday. We are awarded the contract to supply these meals through the Council on Aging. Karen B. Rose Deigl, Executive Director of the Indian River County Council on Aging, has been very pleased with the service over the years. This program assists our department in remaining in the black, financially. It brings in approximately $250,000 a year.