Broward County Public Schools to end free lunch program for 2025-26 school year

Lunch prices also expected to go up

Broward County Public Schools logo. (WPLG)

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Broward County Public School students will not receive free lunch for the 2025-26 school year.

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According to a media release, families will need to apply to determine their eligibility for free and reduced-price lunches. Due to changes in program funding that allowed BCPS to offer free lunches for all students over the past two years, the district will transition back to the application process previously in place.

Starting in the 2025/26 school year, free and reduced-price lunches will be offered based on eligibility, requiring families to complete an application.

All students will continue to receive free breakfast through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Universal Free Breakfast Program.

Students who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits or enrolled in Head Start, Foster, Homeless, or Migrant are automatically certified to receive free lunch.

For students eligible for reduced-price lunches, meals are offered at $0.40 per meal.

According to the district, lunch prices are increasing by $1 for paying students across all grade levels. Lunch will cost $3 in elementary school, $3.35 in middle school and $3.50 in high school.

The BCPS Food and Nutrition Services Department will begin accepting Meal Benefits Applications for the 2025/26 school year on Monday, July 14, 2025, at www.myschoolapps.com.


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Veronica Crespo writes for Local10.com and also oversees the Español section of the website. Born and raised in Miami, she graduated from the University of Miami, where she studied broadcast journalism and Spanish.

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