Applications for free or reduced-price meals for students are available at each campus office or in the food service office located at the Administrative Center located at 1713 Wilbarger Street.

Students who were approved for free or reduced price meals last year in a Vernon ISD school (and were active students at the end of the school year) are allowed to eat free meals or reduced-price meals for up to 30 days based on last year’s application. This grace period gives the Food Service Department time to process all the applications for this school year. If the eligibility status changes based on this year’s applications, the new status will be effective immediately.

Younger brothers and sisters may also eat free or reduced-price meals during the grace period based on the family’s status from last year. Siblings who now live with an eligible family may participate in the grace period.

New students to Vernon ISD schools may not participate in the grace period. We must have an approved application on file before we can provide a free meal.

In March 2004, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) issued the Texas Public School Nutrition Policy to promote a healthier environment in schools. To support healthy eating habits for children and to help combat the childhood obesity crisis, the Texas Department of Agriculture created new nutrition guidelines for public schools participating in the federally funded Child Nutrition Programs. These quick reference guides outlines the policies for Texas elementary schools, effective since Aug. 1, 2004.

All programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are available to everyone without regard to race, national origin, age, sex or handicap. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against, they should write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250