SAN ANGELO, TX -- San Angelo ISD announced its continued policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the attached current income eligibility guidelines as outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture and Texas Department of Agriculture. Each school/site or the Child Nutrition office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone on request.
San Angelo ISD will continue distributing information and letters to the households of the children in the district about eligibility benefits and any actions households need to take to apply for these benefits. Applications may be accessed online at www.schoolcafe.com/
Households only have to submit one application listing all SAISD students, even if they have children who attend different schools within the San Angelo Independent School District.
Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits
The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:
Income
1. Household income that is at or below the income eligibility levels
Categorical (Automatic) Eligibility
2. Household receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Program Participant
3. Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster
4. Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start
Income Eligibility
For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must complete an application for free and reduced-price meals and return it to their teacher, front office, cafeteria manager, or families may drop off at the Child Nutrition Offices. Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
- Names (First and Last) of all household members
- Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member
- Last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a social security number, check the box for “No Social Security number”
- Signature of an adult household member listed on the application attesting that the information provided is correct.
Income Eligibility Guidelines
Categorical or Program Eligibility
San Angelo ISD is working with local and state agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. San Angelo ISD will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should have should contact San Angelo ISD Child Nutrition at 325-659-3615 ext. 103. Any household that wishes to decline benefits may do so by indicating on the paper application or online.
Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information provided by households on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may be subject to verification by the school officials at any time during the school year.
Determining Eligibility
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the Child Nutrition Free and Reduced Meal Benefit Clerk will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official’s eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the Reviewing Official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to San Angelo ISD, Dr. Merl Brandon, Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations/CFO, 1621 University Ave, San Angelo, TX 76904, (325) 947-3800.
Unexpected Circumstances
If a household member becomes unemployed, has changes in employment or income that could improve eligibility, or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school or Child Nutrition Office. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.
For additional information please contact Kelly Graf at San Angelo ISD Child Nutrition Services at 325-659-3615 ext. 103.
State of Texas to Cover Reduced-Price School Meals through the 2026-2027 School Year
San Angelo ISD is pleased to announce that the State of Texas will cover the cost of reduced-price school meals for qualifying students thanks to funding from the 89th Texas Legislature. This means that reduced-priced eligible students will receive lunch meals at no cost beginning provided they meet the criteria for reduced-price meals.
However, families should be aware of the following important details:
- A la carte items (including snacks, beverages, or individually priced items not part of the standard meal) are not included in this provision and must be paid for separately.
- Parents or guardians must complete a Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application to determine eligibility for this program. Only students who qualify for reduced-price meals will benefit from the state coverage.
SAISD encourages all families to submit their applications as soon as possible to avoid delays in receiving benefits. Applications will be reviewed promptly, and qualifying families will be notified.
For any questions or assistance with the application process, please contact:
Kelly Graf, Phone: (325) 659-3615, Email: [email protected]
For more information visit the Child Nutrition Website at www.saisd.org.
Payment Methods
Households and students may add funds to student accounts for meal and A la Carte purchases through the following methods:
No additional cost methods: Check or Cash payments may be made directly to the cafeteria manager at each campus for no additional fee. Payments may also be made at the Child Nutrition Services Office.
Online method with Fee: Payments may also conveniently be made online through www.schoolcafe.com/
Community Eligibility Provision Campuses
San Angelo ISD will also operate the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2026-2027 school year at select qualifying campuses. These schools met qualifications for this provision as a campus instead of by individual household eligibility. Schools meeting the qualifications to operate CEP serve the first breakfast and lunch meal daily to all children at no cost. This approach reduces burdens for families and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals.
San Angelo ISD will operate CEP at the following campuses for the 2026-2027 school year:
- Bradford Elementary
- Fannin Elementary
- Goliad Elementary
- Reagan Elementary
- Lincoln Middle School
- Lake View High School
- DAEP
Households with students at both CEP and non-CEP campuses will need to complete a free and reduced meal benefit application for any student at a non-CEP campus. CEP benefits are not extendable from campus to campus as they are not tied to the household. If a student transfers from a CEP campus to a non-CEP campus, the household will need to complete a free and reduced meal benefit application to continue benefits before the end of a 30-day grace period set for transfers from CEP to non-CEP campuses.
SAISD remains committed to supporting student health and wellness through accessible nutrition services.
For additional information please contact San Angelo ISD Child Nutrition Services at 325-659-3615.
Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help. Additional translations services available as well.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/
The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or
2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: [email protected].
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
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