Lunch Menus and Forms
Massachusetts Household Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
Children need healthy meals to learn. Harvard Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day at no cost to all students. We receive funding for this through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. One complete lunch and one complete breakfast at no cost for our students is now permanent. We need your help to keep providing free meals to all students in future years.
Completing the meal benefit application can:
· help sustain free meals for our school(s) by increasing access to Federal funding
· drive funding for educational programs in our community
· help provide free summer meals to all kids, and free meals to kids in childcare in our community.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price meals for their children also qualify for Sun Bucks starting in the summer of 2026. Sun Bucks provides extra money for groceries during the summer months when kids aren’t in school. Your participation can help your family and your community. The information you provide is confidential. We follow strict federal rules to keep your information private.
If you are not receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and have been approved for free or reduced-price school meals, you may be eligible for SNAP which provides monthly financial assistance to purchase groceries to Massachusetts residents who qualify. Find out if you are eligible for SNAP today by calling Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 and a counselor can help you apply over the phone. You can also apply on your own online at DTA Connect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
No. Use one Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all required information. Return the completed application to: Mandy Ostaszewski, 978-456-0545, mostaszewski@psharvard.org.
SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE ALREADY APPROVED FOR FREE MEALS?
No, but please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. If any children in your household were missing from your eligibility notification, contact Mandy Ostaszewski immediately.
MY CHILD’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT A NEW ONE?
Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year.
May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You, your children, or other household members do not have to be U.S. citizens to apply for free or reduced-price meals.
Who qualifies for free or reduced-price meals?
All students in our schools will get free breakfast and lunch at school. But only some students qualify as “eligible” for free meals. These are:
· All children in households receiving benefits from MA SNAP, MA TAFDC, FDPIR, or specific categories of Medicaid are eligible for free meals.
· Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.
· Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.
· Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.
· Children may receive free or reduced price meals if your household’s income is within the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals if your household income falls at or below the limits on this chart.
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILDREN QUALIFY AS homeless, MIGRANT, OR RUNAWAY?
Do the members of your household lack a permanent address? Are you staying together in a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing arrangement? Does your family relocate on a seasonal basis? Are any children living with you who have chosen to leave their prior family or household? If you believe children in your household meet these descriptions and haven’t been told your children will get free meals, please call or e-mail Michelle DellaValle, 978-456-4140, mdellavalle@psharvard.org.
I GET WIC. CAN MY CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Please send in a completed application.
Will the information I give be checked?
Yes. We may also ask you to send written proof of the household income you report.
If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?
Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?
You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Dana Labb, dlabb@psharvard.org, 27A Mass Ave, Harvard, MA, 01440, 978-456-4140.
What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
WHAT IF SOME HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS HAVE NO INCOME TO REPORT?
Household members may not receive some types of income we ask you to report on the application or may not receive income at all. Whenever this happens, please write a 0 in the field. However, if any income fields are left empty or blank, those will also be counted as zeroes. Please be careful when leaving income fields blank, as we will assume you meant to do so.
We are in the military. Do we report our income differently?
Your basic pay and cash bonuses must be reported as income. If you get any cash value allowances for off-base housing, food, or clothing, or receive Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance payments, it must also be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income. Any additional combat pay resulting from deployment is also excluded from income.
WHAT IF THERE ISN’T ENOUGH SPACE ON THE APPLICATION FOR MY FAMILY?
List any additional household members on a separate piece of paper and attach it to your application. Contact Mandy Ostaszewski, mostaszewski@psharvard.org for a second application.
My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for?
To find out how to apply for MA SNAP or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call the MA DTA Assistance Line at 1-877-382-2363 (press 7 to apply for SNAP).
If you have other questions or need help, call 978-456-0545.
Sincerely,
Mandy Ostaszewski
Director of Finance and Operations
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information on this application. You do not have to give the information, but if you do not submit all needed information, we cannot approve your child for free or reduced-price meals. You must include the last four digits of the social security number of the primary wage earner or other adult household member who signs the application. The social security number is not required when you apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number or other FDPIR identifier for your child or when you indicate that the adult household member signing the application does not have a social security number. We will use your information to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and for administration and enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs.
We may share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.
Non-Discrimination Statement:
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
FY27 Meal Benefit Application
Meal Benefit Application Instructions
Menus
Harvard Public Schools is pleased to partner with Whitsons Culinary Group to provide healthy meals each day. To view the 2026-2027 Menus for TBS and HES, please click on the following link and type ‘Harvard’ into the search box.
Meal Modification:
Federal law and the regulations for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program require schools to make accommodations for children who are unable to eat the school meal as prepared because of a disability. Meal modifications may include offering an alternative to a food that a child is allergic to, altering the consistency of a food component to facilitate feeding, or supporting the child during the meal service so they may participate in the meal.
In order to make substitutions, the school must have a written statement signed by a licensed physician indicating what the child’s disability is, what foods must be omitted from the child’s diet, and what foods must be substituted
Does your student need a meal modification? Modifications are accommodated by filling out the Meal Modification Form and contacting the Food Service Director, foodservice@psharvard.org.
How does the Free Lunch Program Work?
How does our school get reimbursed for the meals that they provide? Meals are considered “reimbursable” by the government if they contain all of the components of a healthy meal. All students receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost to them. The school receives a reimbursement monthly based on how many meals are served. Meals served to students who are designated free or reduced through a meal benefit application or direct certification are reimbursed at a higher rate. Second meals or a la cart items (chips, drinks, etc.) are charged for as the school does not receive reimbursement for these items. This is true for all students regardless of free/reduced lunch designation. We urge families to use myschoolbucks to add funds to their student’s account if their student plans on purchasing extra meals or snacks. Funds can also be deposited by the students at the lunch line register.
Curious about what that looks like in the lunch line? Please watch this video about Bromfield Lunch Program
At Harvard public schools our foods and beverages meet all federal and state requirements based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Our foods and beverages are:
- 100% Whole grain rich
- Less than 30% fat
- Less than 10% saturated fat
- 0 grams of trans fat
- Meet 1/3 of the recommended daily allowances (RDA) for vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, protein, and calories
We offer a variety of daily offerings:
- Fresh fruits & vegetables
- Non-fat chocolate milk or 1% milk or Soy milk
- Lower sodium food items
We attempt to minimize waste by implementing "offer vs. serve", allowing the student to choose their meals. We provide students with access to a variety of appealing foods that meet the nutritional needs of students.
Good nutrition and learning go hand in hand. We support learning by promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition and fitness practices. We provide students with access to a variety of affordable and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students.
Please contact our Food Service Director, foodservice@psharvard.org with any questions.
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA
by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.