The Illinois State Board of Education has announced the federal eligibility guidelines for students to receive free and reduced-price lunch, breakfast, and after-school snacks for the 2024-25 school year.
All school districts that administer federally funded Child Nutrition Programs must offer what are considered nutritious, well-balanced, and age-appropriate meals to all children they serve to improve their diets and safeguard their health. Federal regulations require entities to follow a meal pattern consisting of five components: milk; fruits; vegetables; grains; and meat or meat alternates, such as cheese, yogurt, tofu, nuts, and seeds.
Approximately half of Illinois school districts participate in the National School Lunch Program.
