The Archdiocese of Newark has announced that free and reduced-price meals will be available to eligible students for the 2025-2026 school year. The program covers low-cost, nutritious lunches, breakfasts, and milk for all enrolled students whose household incomes meet federal guidelines.

Application forms are accessible on each participating school’s website and can also be obtained directly from the school. Applications may be submitted at any point during the academic year. Parents are encouraged to notify the school if there is a change in household income or size, or if a member becomes unemployed, to ensure proper benefits.

Eligibility is determined based on information provided by households, including names of all members, types and frequency of income, and the signature and last four digits of an adult’s social security number certifying the application’s accuracy. All information is kept confidential and used only to determine eligibility.

According to federal regulations (7 CFR 245.2), foster children, Head Start enrollees, homeless, migrant, and runaway children automatically qualify for free meals or milk. Households receiving NJ SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Medicaid will be notified about their children’s eligibility unless they opt out. If no notification is received by a specified date set by the school, these households should submit an application. WIC participants may also qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Parents will be informed about their child’s eligibility within ten working days after submitting an application. Those dissatisfied with the determination may request an informal conference or a formal hearing to appeal the decision.

Children previously eligible for free or reduced-price meals remain so for up to 30 operating days into the new school year while new determinations are made or until a new status is established. When students transfer between local education agencies (LEAs), their prior eligibility may carry over until updated by the new LEA.

School officials must verify three percent of approved applications each year as part of compliance procedures.

The Archdiocese notes that its schools are operated under religious tenets and administer lunch programs accordingly while following applicable law and seeking religious exemptions where appropriate under USDA Title IX regulations and related statutes.

Program details can be provided in languages other than English upon request. Persons with disabilities needing alternative communication formats should contact state or local agencies administering the program or reach out to USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice/TTY) or through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

Complaints regarding discrimination in program administration can be filed using Form AD-3027—available online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf—or by contacting USDA via mail at 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington D.C., fax at (833) 256-1665/(202) 690-7442, or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Participating schools include St. Peter School in Belleville; St. Joseph School in East Orange; Sacred Heart School, St. Aloysius Elementary Academy, St. Joseph School in Jersey City; St. Joseph the Carpenter School in Roselle; St. Benedict’s Preparatory School Upper and Lower Divisions; St. Michael School; and St. Vincent Academy in Newark.