No More Free Breakfast, Lunch For Several Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Public Schools

POLICY CHANGE. Students May Qualify, But No Longer Free For All.

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Breakfast and lunch will no longer be free for all students in the Palm Beach County School District. Several schools, including many in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Wellington have been removed from the official “free” list — requiring families to fall below certain income thresholds to qualify. Here is the official statement issued by the Palm Beach County School District on Saturday:

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Nearly 75% of District-operated schools will continue to have free breakfast and lunch available for all students in the 2026-2027 school year. Providing our students with access to nutritious meals is a top priority for the District. This transition occurred due to state requirements regarding eligibility for the Community Eligibility Provision.

For the other schools (listed below as “Non-CEP Schools”), families can still qualify for free or reduced-price meal benefits based on income and family size through the standard National School Lunch Program application. This application for free or reduced price meals becomes available in late July.

Any interested person may review a copy of the policy by contacting Allison Monbleau, Director School Food Service, Allison.Monbleau@palmbeachschgools.org.

The costs for meals are as follows for “Non-CEP Schools” for the 2026-2027 school year (unless the student qualifies for free/reduced-priced meals):

• Breakfast: $2.50
• Lunch (Elementary Schools): $3.50
• Lunch (Secondary Schools): $3.75

The School District of Palm Beach County — 2026-2027 Non-CEP Schools

School #	School Name
31	Water’s Edge Elementary School
61	Everglades Elementary School
81	Jupiter Community High School
151	Suncoast High School
235	Saddle View Elementary School
281	Sunset Palms Elementary School
395	Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts
421	Palm Beach Public Elementary School
571	Palmetto Park High School
661	Marsh Pointe Elementary School
961	Boca Raton Community High School
1451	Addison Mizner School
1661	Verde K-8 School
1671	Wellington Elementary School
1681	Spanish River Community High School
1701	Wellington Landings Middle School
1721	West Boynton Middle School
1731	Jupiter Middle School
1741	Del Prado Elementary School
1751	Loggers’ Run Middle School
1781	Whispering Pines Elementary School
1821	Christa McAuliffe Middle School
1911	Calusa Elementary School
1931	Lighthouse Elementary School
1951	Morikami Park Elementary School
1961	Sandpiper Shores Elementary School
1991	Omni Middle School
2011	Timber Trace Elementary School
2031	Limestone Creek Elementary School
2091	Jupiter Farms Elementary School
2161	Panther Run Elementary School
2171	Blue Lake Elementary School
2181	Olympic Heights Community High School
2241	Manatee Elementary School
2461	Eagles Landing Middle School
2511	Bak Middle School of the Arts
2541	Beacon Cove Intermediate School
2561	Binks Forest Elementary School
2611	Polo Park Middle School
2621	Independence Middle School
2691	Sunrise Park Elementary School
2711	Don Estridge High Tech Middle School
2721	Discovery Key Elementary School
2861	Pierce Hammock Elementary School
2911	Western Academy Charter School
2941	Palm Beach School of Autism
3251	West Boca Raton Community High School
3341	Equestrian Trails Elementary School
3362	Somerset Academy Avenir
3371	Emerald Cove Middle School
3413	Somerset Academy Boca
3941	Ben Gamla Charter School
4041	Somerset Academy Boca Middle
4103	Sports Leadership Arts & Management School
4131	Somerset Academy Wellington High School
4141	Next Academy

Applications for free and reduced-price meals will be available beginning July 27, 2026. Once available, applications may be submitted during the year electronically at the following website: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict or via paper applications obtained from the school. Household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility. An application can not be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information. Once approved, meal benefits are good for an entire year. You need not notify the organization of changes in income and household size.

Households that receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) are required to list on the application only the child’s name, SNAP/TANF case number, and signature of adult household member.

Foster children will receive free benefits regardless of the child’s personal income or the income of the household.

Families with children experiencing homelessness, including those doubled-up, in shelters, motels, cars, or without a stable nighttime residence, or unaccompanied youth, should complete the Student Housing Questionnaire at www.palmbeachschools.org/mvp. Questions should be directed to Aleshia Coleman at 561-414-1173.

Families who would like to connect with our migrant services office can reach out to Jorge Echegaray at 561-202-0359.

For the purpose of determining household size, deployed service members are considered a part of the household. Families should include the names of the deployed service members on their application. Report only that portion of the deployed service member’s income made available to them or on their behalf to the family. Additionally, a housing allowance that is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative is not to be included as income.

All other households must provide the following information listed on the application:

• Total household income listed by gross amount received, type of income (e.g., wages, child support, etc.) and how often the income is received by each household member;
• Names of all household members – check the “no income” box if applicable; if household member is a child, list school name for each;
• Signature of an adult household member certifying the information provided is correct; and
• Social security number of the adult signing the application or the word “NONE” for this household member if he or she does not have a social security number.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the school should be contacted. Children of parents or guardians who become unemployed should also contact the school.

Under the provisions of the Free and Reduced-Price meal policy Cassaundra Rodriguez, 561-382-2000 will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he or she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, he or she may make a request either orally or in writing to: Michael Burke, Superintendent, 3300 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. 561-649-6833.

Unless indicated otherwise on the application, the information on the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application may be used by the school system in determining eligibility for other educational programs.

Florida Income Eligibility Guidelines for Free and Reduced-Price Meals

To determine annual income:

• If you receive the income every week, multiply the total gross income by 52.
• If you receive the income every two weeks, multiply the total gross income by 26.
• If you receive the income twice a month, multiply the total gross income by 24.
• If you receive the income monthly, multiply the total gross income by 12.

Remember: The total income before taxes, social security, health benefits, union dues, or other deductions must be reported.

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, 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 P-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:

Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442

Email:
program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.