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Free and Reduced Meals

Even if your student is remote learning APPLY NOW for meal benefits for the 2020-2021 school year. Not only will you be ready when school returns to in-person learning, your student could present a copy of their approval letter to be considered for discount fees for applying for college, pay to play athletics, academic tests such as SAT, ACT, AP and discount internet access from some providers. 

The meal application is a family application. Only one application needs to be completed for each household.

 
 
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para la versión en español de la solicitud de almuerzo gratis o reducido.
 
Or, you may download a 2020-2021 Meal Application packet here:


Or, you may also obtain a paper application from your child’s school.
 
If you are completing a paper application, please mail to:

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
ATTN: School Nutrition Services
P.O. Box 668847
Charlotte, NC 28266-8847.


*If you are in need of an application in another language, please click here to take you to the language preferred.

Students who were approved for benefits last year will continue receiving lunch under last year’s approval until a new application is processed. Students have up to 30 days to reapply for meal benefits. Students who do not reapply for the current school year will need money for meals beginning the 31st school day. New students must have an approved application on file before meal benefits begin; however, new students, students who did not submit an application the prior school year, and students who attended a CEP school the prior year will need an approved application on file or money for meal purchases beginning the first day of attendance in the new school year.

Pre-K, elementary and middle school students who do not have an approved application on file and do not have money in their account will receive a complete meal. The price of the meal will be charged to the student’s account. Students will be asked to return any extra items on their tray to the cashier. Parent/guardian is responsible for reimbursing the cafeteria for any money charged to the student’s account, even if an application is approved at a later date.

Parent/guardian is responsible for making sure their child has an approved application on file. If a letter detailing the status of the meal application is not received within 10 working days after the application is submitted, call (980) 343-6041 to inquire about the status of your application.


In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.  Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

(1)      mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2)        fax: (202) 690-7442; or 

(3)        email: program.intake@usda.gov.


This institution is an equal opportunity provider.


Visit us on the web at www.ncpublicschools.org. All e-mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law, which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement.
P.O. Box 30035
Charlotte, NC 28230-0035
Phone: 980-343-3000
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools website (www.cms.k12.nc.us) is in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any website accessibility concerns may be brought via the following, Email the Web Accessibility Team at WebAccessibility or Call: 980.343.0115. In compliance with Federal Law, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities, may be referred to the District's Title IX Coordinator at titleixcoordinator or to the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education.
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