Frequently Asked Questions

The lunch meal components are:

• Meat or Meat Alternate
• Fruit
• Vegetable
• Grain
• Fluid Milk

2.  DO I HAVE TO PICK UP EVERYTHING?

No.  You may choose a maximum of 5 different components or a minimum of 3 different components.  One of those 3 components must be a fruit or vegetable. 

3.  CAN I BUY EXTRA ITEMS?

Yes.  If you purchase a reimbursable meal, you can purchase an extra item.  A reimbursable meal is a meal that is made up of either a minimum of 3 or maximum of 5 different meal components.

If you bring your lunch from home you can only purchase milk or ice cream or bottled water.

4.  WHAT IS A REIMBURSABLE MEAL?

The Federal Government (USDA) reimburses the state and the state in turn reimburses each school district for every meal that is served to an eligible child and meets meal pattern requirements.

5.  WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM?

The Biloxi Public School district offers every child in the school district an opportunity to apply for Free/Reduced price meals.  The application must be complete and signed by an adult or guardian.  The application is then scanned by the Child Nutrition (Food Service Department) and processed as either Free, Reduced or Paid.  The income limits are set by the Federal Government and passed down to the local school district level by the State Department of Education, Office of Child Nutrition.

6.  DO I NEED TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR EACH CHILD OR SCHOOL?

No.  The applications we use are Household applications.  Every child in that household can be included on one form.  If more space is needed attach a second form with just the student information completed and all children in that household will be linked to that household application.