Is school lunch free, or do I have to pay? Here’s the list for MS Coast districts.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, waivers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made breakfast and lunch free for all public school students on the Mississippi Coast.
However, the U.S. Congress did not extend those waivers for most Coast districts for the 2022-23 school year, meaning that many students will have to pay for meals again. Parents can fill out a form, usually online, to determine if their child meets the standards for free or reduced prices.
Meal pricing can vary by district.
A few districts will still be able to offer free breakfast and lunch this school year.
School districts with free lunch for all
Bay-Waveland School District
The Bay-Waveland School District will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch for all students this school year.
BWD posts their meal menus online.
Extra food sales will be available. Money can be added to a student’s food account by using My School Bucks online.
Pascagoula-Gautier
The Pascagoula-Gautier School District announced online that lunch is free for the 2022-23 school year.
Apply for free, reduced lunch
At most South Mississippi school districts, the free meal waiver has expired and parents must apply for free or reduced lunch.
Here’s the list:
- Hancock County
- Pass Christian
- Gulfport
- Biloxi
- Harrison County
- Poplarville
- George County
- Ocean Springs
These school districts have discussed the status of their meal programs on their websites or Facebook pages:
- Long Beach
- Jackson County
- Moss Point
- Picayune
- Stone County
Parents can fill out meal forms for their school districts online. See your district’s website for more information.
This story was originally published July 22, 2022 at 11:18 AM.
