The student nutrition service in each school provides nourishing, well-balanced meals each day.  All schools use a computerized system for students to pay for meals.  If a student in kindergarten through 11th grade has money remaining in a lunch account at the end of the school year, it will remain in the account for the next school year.  If a student in 12th grade has over $5.00 remaining in his/her account at the end of the school year, a refund check will be mailed to the student.  If the 12th grade student has less than $5.00 in his/her account, the money will be transferred to the school’s Senior Class Fund.

Meal Prices

• Breakfast -- $1.00
• Elementary Lunch -- $1.60 daily
• Middle and High School Lunch -- $1.85 daily
• Reduced Price Breakfast -- $0.30
• Reduced Price Lunch -- $0.40

Free & Reduced Meals

The free and reduced-price lunch program is available under the National School Lunch Program.  Application forms are mailed to every student’s home during the summer.  They are also available to all students during registration.  If a family’s financial situation changes at any time, a form may also be submitted during the school year.  The qualifying guidelines on the form will be followed in determining the eligibility of students to receive free or reduced-price meals.  Applicants will be notified in writing concerning their child’s eligibility.

Only one completed application listing all family members is needed to determine the lunch status for all students in the family.

Frequently Asked Questions about Free & Reduced Meals

1. Do I need to fill out an application for each child?

No. Complete the application to apply for free or reduced price meals. Use one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to: Pickens County Schools, School Nutrition Department, 415 Ann Street, Pickens, SC 29671.

2. Who can get free meals?

Children in households getting Food Stamps or TANF 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.

3. Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals?

Please call 1-866-888-2424 to see if your children(ren) qualify, if you have not been informed that they will get free meals.

4. 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.

5. Should I fill out an application if I got a letter this school year saying my children are approved for free or reduced price meals?

Please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Call the district at 1-866-850-9409 if you have questions.

6. I get WIC. Can my child(ren) get free meals?

Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.

7. Will the information I give be checked?

Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.

8. 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 getting Food Stamps, TANF or other benefits. If you lose your job, your children may be able to get free or reduced price meals.

9. 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: Mr. Rodney James 1600 Downing Street, Suite 700, Denver co, 80218. Phone 1-800-906-0911.

10. 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 price meals.

11. 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 relatives, or friends). You must include yourself and all children who live with you.

12. 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.

13. We are in the military, do we include our housing allowance as income?

If your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. All other allowances must be included in your gross income.

If you have questions or need help, please call 1-800-906-0911.