RALEIGH — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 2026-27 federal income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals for children in North Carolina schools. Household size and income criteria will be used to determine student eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits.
“Educational excellence isn’t achieved through engaging and rigorous classrooms alone,” North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green said in a press release. “Healthy and nutritious meals are essential to ensuring students are focused and ready to learn. When students eat school meals, they have improved focus and academic success.”
The guidelines apply for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. A child’s household must earn at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, or $5,088 each month for a family of four, to qualify for reduced-price meals. If a child’s household earns at or below 130% of the federal poverty level, or $3,575 each month for a family of four, they will qualify for free school meals…