Families in the North Fork Local School District will soon be able to apply for free and reduced-price meals for the 2026-2027 school year under updated federal income eligibility guidelines.
According to the announcement, applications will be available sometime after July 1, through the district's website. The program is offered at North Fork Local Schools and follows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Income Eligibility Guidelines, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Families must submit an application to qualify, and questions can be directed to Dawn Nelson at [email protected] or 740‑789‑1647.
Eligibility is determined by household income or participation in other assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Ohio Works First. The USDA chart outlines income thresholds for free and reduced‑price meals. For example, a household of four qualifies for free meals with an annual income at or below $42,900, or reduced‑price meals with income up to $61,050. Each additional household member increases the limit by $7,384 for free meals and $10,508 for reduced‑price meals. These figures ensure that families most in need receive support for their children’s nutrition.
The district also announced meal prices for students who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals. For the 2026-2027 school year, breakfast will remain free for all students, while lunch will cost $2.80 for grades K‑5 and $3.30 for grades 6‑12. Reduced‑price students will continue to receive both breakfast and lunch at no charge. Adult meal prices will be announced later.
Families should note that beginning with the 2023‑2024 school year, households receiving Medicaid automatically qualify for free or reduced‑price school meals if their income does not exceed the USDA standards. In these cases, no application is necessary, streamlining access for eligible families.
For additional information, families are encouraged to review the USDA’s National School Lunch Program question‑and‑answer webpage. By making these guidelines clear and accessible, North Fork Local Schools and the USDA aim to ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals, supporting both health and academic success throughout the school year.
North Fork Local Schools, which include Utica High School, Utica Middle School, Newton Elementary, and Utica Elementary, serve more than 1,656 students across the district, according to their website.
