Free and Reduced Price Meals are available to families who believe they may qualify.
Parents can fill out the application for meal benefits online. To fill out the form visit
LunchApplication.com and click on the "Apply Now" button on the left hand side of the page. For instructions on how to complete the online application please click on the "Online Lunch Application Examples" link in the menu to the left.
Paper applications are no longer sent home with your student. If you need a paper application you will need to visit the Catawba County Schools Central Office located at 2285 N. Anderson Ave, Newton NC 28658 between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm or you may visit your student's school cafeteria between 8:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Upon receipt of a complete application, the School Nutrition Department has ten business days to complete the processing procedure. You will be notified by mail of your student's status. Until notification you must provide your student with a lunch or lunch money.
Only complete one application per family. Please list ALL students attending schools in Catawba County on one application. The information you give will be used to determine or prove your student's eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. This information may also be used for other state or federally funded school benefits.
A new application must be completed each year, AND FAMILIES MAY COMPLETE AN APPLICATION AT ANY TIME DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. Students who were approved for benefits last year must complete a new application at the beginning of the new school year. Students may eat on last year's status for either thirty (30) days or until a new application is processed which ever occurs first. Those students who do not have an approved meal application on file will need to pay for meals at the end of the grace period.
If you received a letter that your child is directly certified to receive meals, you do not need to complete an application for meal benefits. However, if your letter does not include the names of all students in the household, please call the School Nutrition Department at 828-464-8333 to let us know so all children may receive the benefit.
An application can be completed anytime during the school year if you feel that your family may qualify. If there is any change in income, job loss, additional household members added, etc., please check to see if your family qualifies for benefits. Parents are responsible for payment for any meal until the application is approved.
New students must have applications approved before meal benefits can begin. Parents are responsible for any meal until the application is approved.
Factors considered in the application process are household size and total household income. HOUSEHOLD SIZE is considered all persons, related or unrelated: including parents, children, grandparents, who live in your home and share living expenses. The TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME is the income each household member received last month before taxes - this includes wages, social security, pension, unemployment, welfare, child support, alimony, and any other cash income.
This program offers free or reduced price breakfast and lunch to those students who are eligible. Other benefits of being eligible MAY include:
Fee waivers for College Entrance Exam (SAT), fee waivers for certain afterschool programs, fee waivers for applications at many colleges and universities* (*To be considered for a fee wavier, a copy of the eligibility letter mailed to households must be presented.) and your school may receive additional funding.
The identity of all students completing an application for free or reduced meals or receiving free or reduced meals is kept confidential.