Free & Reduced-Price Meal reapplication due soon

The Stanwood-Camano School District posted this on its website on 2025-10-18 17:00:00.

Four of our elementary schools are close to qualifying for free meals for all students next year — but we need your help to get there.

Schools that reach a state-defined threshold of students enrolled in the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program become eligible to provide free meals to every student the following school year.

While families can apply at any time, the state uses data as of October 31 to determine eligibility for next year. Our school is currently incredibly close to meeting that threshold, and every approved application counts toward helping all students benefit.

If your household income or circumstances have recently changed, you may now qualify — including those affected by the current federal government shutdown or reduced work hours. The application reflects your family’s current financial situation, and once approved, the benefit lasts for the entire school year.

For example, even if your household’s income would normally be above the eligibility threshold, a temporary loss of income — such as missed paychecks or furlough due to the government shutdown — may qualify your family right now. That approval would remain valid for the rest of the school year, even if your income later returns to normal.

Applying takes less than 10 minutes, and only one application is needed per family.

Unsure if you qualify? Take a quick eligibility quiz here: https://forms.gle/hYPf5sgoKV7V3B1Y8

Learn more and apply today:
https://www.stanwood.wednet.edu/departments/food-services/free-and-reduced-price-meal-program

Let’s work together to make sure every student has access to nutritious meals — at no cost to families. Please share this message widely and encourage families to apply as soon as possible!

Why This Matters

• Reapplying ensures your child doesn’t lose meal benefits this year.

• Applications also determine whether several of our schools can continue offering free meals to all students next year. 

• Families who qualify may unlock added benefits such as reduced PUD bills and lower costs for school and community activities, such as YMCA membership.

  • PLEASE NOTE: You will need to complete a Consent to Share form that allows our Food Service to share the federally-protected Free/Reduced status information with other schools. Without this form, the school cannot verify your student’s Free/Reduced status to unlock benefits such as free ASB and sports registrations.

Why Choose School Meals?

• School meals are not only nutritious but also affordable. A school breakfast and lunch cost less than what a family would pay at a grocery store for the same ingredients. For example, the unit price per elementary lunch is $3.50 compared to roughly $4.35 to pay for the same ingredients at our local grocery stores.

How to Apply

Remember: Breakfast and lunch are free for ALL students this school year at …

These schools qualified under state law last fall, but that qualification must be renewed this October. Submitting your application by Oct. 31 gives these schools the best chance to continue offering free meals in the future.

Please reapply today to avoid interruptions to your student’s meal benefits and to help ensure these important programs continue for our schools and community. For more information, please visit our Food Services page.

Thank you!