Free & Reduced Price Meals

A new application must be submitted and processed prior to the previous year’s expiration date to avoid a lapse in benefits and meal charges. If you were qualified for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program last year, you will remain eligible at the same status until your application for the current school year is processed or until the previous year’s expiration date. If your application is submitted after the expiration date, your student(s) qualification will change to paid status. You will be responsible for any charges to your student’s account during the approval process or during any period that your student(s) qualification lapses. Please contact the CNS office if you have any questions about the expiration date of your application.

Households who receive Food Stamps, CalWORKs or MediCal for their students and have received a letter stating their students are directly certified DO NOT have to complete an application. A letter will notify you of your child’s eligibility and your child will automatically receive free lunches unless you notify the CNS office that you do not want the benefits. If you have NOT received a letter by mid August, indicating that your child is qualified, please complete a lunch application and return it to your child’s school. PLEASE NOTE: If not all your students are listed on your eligibility letter, please call the CNS office immediately so we can add other siblings as necessary.

Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year and households are encouraged to complete a new application if you experience a decrease in household income, become unemployed, have an increase in family size, or qualify for CalFresh, CalWorks/TANF, or FDPIR benefits.

If a hard copy application is needed, applications can be requested from your child’s school office, at the Evergreen Child Nutrition Services office,  or print them at home using the links below. 

Only ONE application needs to be completed for each household. Please review the information prior to submitting application to ensure all required areas have been completed. Applications that are incomplete will be returned and the eligibility process will be delayed. An original copy with signature must be received for processing. It cannot be submitted by fax.

Please check the application for the following:

• All Student Names and Attendance School
• All other children in the household
• Names of all adult household members
• Income information for ALL household members
• Source of income
• Signature of parent or guardian
• Last four digits of the Social Security of the signing adult

Completed applications can be returned to your student's school or via the mail to:

Child Nutrition Services
2828 Corda Drive
San Jose, CA 95122

If you have any questions, contact Child Nutrition Services.

Once your application has been processed and you have qualified for either free or reduced price meals, an eligibility letter will be mailed to your address.  This letter is an important document for your records. Qualifying for free or reduced price meals may also make you eligible for other discounts such as afterschool and summer programs and discounted phone and internet services. If you need an additional copy of your eligibility letter, complete the eligibility letter request form.