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The Food Service program, in accordance with the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the National School Breakfast Program (NSBP), provides free or reduced-price meals for children who qualify. An application may be obtained at each school or the Food Service Office, or by downloading a copy using the links in the menus provided.

New – Apply Online!

New this school year, you may apply for free/reduce meals by going online to https://linqconnect.com/ fill out your family application.

Who is eligible?

-If you receive food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for your child(ren), your child can receive free meal services.

-A foster child may receive free or reduced-price meal services regardless of household income.

-If your total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Guidelines below, your child(ren) can receive free or reduced-price meals service.

Duration of Eligibility

-A child’s eligibility is in effect from the date of approval for the current school year and for up to 30 calendar days in the subsequent school year.

-A new application is required each school year, even though your child(ren) may have received free or reduced-price meals the previous year.

How to Apply

-If you receive food stamps for your child(ren) and receive a direct certification letter from the NH Department of Health and Human Services, you may complete the letter and return it to your school’s Food Service office. Your child(ren) will automatically be qualified to receive free meals at school. No application is necessary.

-If you now receive food stamps or TANF for the child(ren) you are applying for, your application must include:

  1. The child(ren)’s name(s)
  2. A food stamp or TANF case number for each child
  3. The signature of an adult household member

-If you do not have a food stamp or TANF case number for the child(ren) you are applying for, the application must include:

  1. The child(ren)’s name(s)
  2. The names of all household members
  3. The income for each person in the household
  4. The signature of an adult household member
  5. The complete social security number of the adult household member who signs the application or an indication that the household member does not have one.

-If you are applying for a foster child, the application must include:

  1. The child’s name
  2. The child’s “personal use” income
  3. The signature of an adult household member (this may be an official of a court or other agency with responsibility for the child).

-Healthy Kids only recipients may not be eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals and must complete an income application.

-If you have any questions, please contact Jeanne Pierce-Ford at jpierce@sau16.org or at (603) 775-8449.

Verification and Appeal

Verification

Your eligibility may be checked by school officials at any time during the school year. School officials may ask you to submit papers showing that your child(ren) should receive free or reduced-price meals.

Fair Hearing / Appeal

You may talk to school officials if you do not agree with the decision on your application or the results of verification. You may also ask for a fair hearing by calling or writing to your School Food Authority Official:

Molly O'Keefe, Executive Director of Finance and Operations 30 Linden Street Exeter, NH 03833 (603) 775-8669

Reapplication

You may apply for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.

If you are not eligible now but have a change such as:

  1. A decrease in household income
  2. An increase in household income
  3. Become unemployed or receive food stamps or TANF for your child(ren), you may complete an application then.
Confidentiality

Approving Officials use the information on the application only to decide if your child(ren) should receive free or reduced-price meals. However, an Approving Official may disclose a child’s status to district officials administering any state or federally approved educational program.

In accordance with Federal Law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Read the full USDA Non-Discrimination Statement here.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write to:

USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights Room 326-W Whitten Building 1400 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20250-9410

or call: (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD)

USDA is an equal provider and employer