SANTA ANA : Free, Reduced-Price Meal Plan Offered

Many students in the Santa Ana Unified School District may be eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals through federal programs benefiting low-income families.

Students whose families receive food stamps, Aid to Families With Dependent Children or benefits from the Food Distribution Program or Indian reservations are automatically eligible for the National School Breakfast and School Lunch programs.

Applications are available at school offices, said district spokeswoman Diane Thomas.

Regular prices for meals at elementary schools are 60 cents for breakfast and $1 for lunch.

At secondary schools, prices are 75 cents for breakfast and $1.15 for lunch.

A student’s household size and income determine eligibility for the programs.

For example, a student living in a six-person household would qualify for free meals if the family’s combined income was less than $25,051 a year.

The same student would be eligible for reduced-price meals if the family’s income was less than $36,650 annually.

Eligibility scales are provided with applications, Thomas said.

Information on applicants is confidential and will be used only to verify eligibility for the program.

Applicants will be notified by the district’s Food Services Department whether they are eligible.