Breakfast and lunch provided to students during the school day can mitigate food insecurity. Eligibility is determined by income for free (130% of FPL) and reduced price (185% of FPL) lunch. Of note, all students are able to access free meals; however, free and reduced lunch eligibility determines federal and state contributions toward the provision of meals.
The chart below shows the percent of students enrolled in schools who are eligible for free or reduced lunch by year.
Related Policy Change
On July 1, 2023 Act 64 took effect ensuring that students have universal access to school meals.
Beginning in October 2023, the threshold for schools to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) decreased, allowing more schools to participate in the program.
Related Practice Change
Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, Vermont joined a Federal Demonstration Project to directly certify students for free or reduced price meals through their enrollment in Medicaid (DC-M).