Martin County - Tuesday July 19, 2022: The federal waiver that allowed many Martin County school children to qualify for free or reduced-price meals during the COVID-19 pandemic has expired. That means that families will need to apply for their children to continue receiving the benefits in the new school year.
Throughout the pandemic, the Martin County School District was able to offer free breakfasts and lunches to all students, made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Unfortunately, the USDA has decided not to continue the program in the upcoming (2022-2023) school year. Therefore, the District must resume charging students who attend some of our schools for breakfasts and lunches.
However funding remains to provide reduced cost or free meals for some, but parents must apply in order to qualify. All families are encouraged to apply, even if they do not believe they will qualify.
Paper and online applications are now available - here.
Students attending the following schools will continue to receive free meals with no income restrictions: J.D. Parker Elementary School, Pinewood Elementary School, Port Salerno Elementary School, Warfield Elementary School, Indiantown Middle School, Willoughby Learning Center and Spectrum Academy.
For the schools not listed above, MCSD will cover the costs of meals for all students for the first three days of school (August 10-12). After August 12, the regular price for breakfast for K-5 and 6-12 students is $1.50. Lunch for K-5 is $1.85, and 6-12 is $2.10. The reduced price for breakfast (all grade levels) is $0.30, and lunch is $0.40.
Parents and caregivers may also add funds for meals to their children's meal accounts at: MySchoolBucks. Funds previously submitted through the former K12PaymentCenter platform have been transferred to student accounts in MySchoolBucks. All student charges/negative balances for breakfasts and lunches have been cleared, which means all students will begin the new school year free of balances on their school meal accounts.
Families are encouraged to contact our Food & Nutrition Services Department at AskFNS@martinschools.org or 772-223-2655 ext. 58100 with questions about school meals.