Children need nutritious meals to help them learn, achieve and succeed. The Food Service Department of Carson City-Crystal Area Schools offer healthy, affordable meals every school day. Students may purchase lunch for $1.75 at the elementary buildings and for $2.00, $2.25 or $2.50 at the Middle/High School. Breakfast cost is $1.25 at all schools. Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals. The reduced meal price is $0.40 for lunch and $0.30 for breakfast. Listed below are some commonly asked questions regarding the Free and Reduced price meal program.
- Do I need to fill out an application for each child? NO! Only use ONE application per household. Complete the application to apply for free and reduced price meals. We cannot approve an application incomplete applications, so be sure to fill out ALL required information. Return the completed application to one of the buildings your children attend. If one child in the family qualifies for free or reduced meals any siblings attending other buildings within the district will also receive the same benefits.
- Who can get free meals? Children in households getting Food Stamps, FIP, or FDPIR and most foster children can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free price meals if your household income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Guidelines.
- Who can get reduced price meals? Your children can get low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Income Chart, shown on this application.
- I receive WIC, can my children get free meals? Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.
- Will the information I give be checked? Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.
- If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later? Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year if your household size goes up, income goes down, or if you start receiving Food Stamps, FIP, FDPIR, or other benefits. If you lose your job, your children may be able to get free or reduced price meals.
- What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application? You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Bob Swanson, Superintendent, 115 E. Main Street, Carson City, MI 48811 (989) 584-3138.
- May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for free or reduced meals.
- Who should I include as members of my household? You must include ALL people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relative or friends). You must include yourself and all children who live with you.
- What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally get. For example, if you normally get $1000 each month but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes.
- We are in the military. Do we include our housing allowance as income? If your housing is part of Military Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. All other allowances must be included in your gross income.
- What if my child does not have health insurance? Your children may qualify for low cost or free health insurance through MIChild and Healthy Kids Program. To apply on-line go to www.michigan.gov/michild or call 1-888-988-6300 for help or to request a paper application.
If you have any other questions related to the Free & Reduced meals program, please don’t hesitate to call the Food Services Office at the number listed below.
Sincerely,
Kerin Naumann, FSD
CC-C Food Service Department
213 East Sherman Street
Carson City, MI 48811
Phone: (989) 584-6399
knaumann@carsoncity.k12.mi.us
