Free & Reduced

Meal Applications

FARM Application for SY 2025-2026

Our 2025-2026 FARM Application will be available in early August. Please check our website then for the latest information. Enjoy your summer! 

Nuestra solicitud para FARM 2025-2026 estará disponible a principios de agosto. Para obtener la información más reciente, visite nuestro sitio web. ¡Disfrute del verano!

Please submit only the completed application to Free and Reduced Email  

Other Possible Benefits:

Click here to learn about other possible benefits that may be available to you.

**School Nutrition Services does not oversee these extra benefits; program participation in reduced fee/ waivers are subject to change **

Virginia SUN Bucks

The SUN Bucks, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, provides $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-age child when school is out for summer. School-aged children whose families receive SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or certain other income-based benefits will be automatically enrolled to receive SUN Bucks.

Additionally, children who attend a school that offers the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and whose household income makes them eligible for free or reduced-price school meals may also be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks. See USDA's Sun Bucks website or VA Sunbuck website  for more details.

Virginia Sunbuck Call Center:

July 1st – August 30th

Office Hours: Monday – Friday (9:15 AM- 6:00 PM)

866-513-1414 (toll- free) 

To Apply for Free/Reduced Meal for the 2025-2026 school year:

Free and Reduced Meal (FARM) Program 

The Free & Reduced Meal (FARM) program helps ensure your children receive healthy breakfasts and lunches at school at no or low cost. This program is designed to support student success by providing the nutritious meals they need to learn and thrive. An eligible family can save over $950 per child during the school year!

Ready to see if your family qualifies? Click on the LINQ logo below to submit an application. Once your application is submitted, you'll receive an eligibility letter from LINQ School Nutrition within 3-5 business days to the email address you provided or the primary guardian email on file. 

Picture link LC logo

Automatic Enrollment for Free & Reduced Meals

 If your household receives SNAP or TANF benefits, your children may be automatically enrolled in the Free and Reduced Meal (FARM) program.

For students who are Medicaid recipients, automatic enrollment is possible if your household income aligns with the USDA National School Lunch Program (NSLP) guidelines for free or reduced-price meals.

If your student is automatically enrolled in the FARM program, the primary guardian will receive an eligibility letter from LINQ School Nutrition. If you receive the eligibility letter stating you have been directly certified with all your student(s) name please do not submit an application.

Important Note: If your student(s) is not automatically enrolled into the FARM program through their SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid federal benefits, you'll need to submit an application for them to be part of the FARM program for the current school year

Important Program Details

Loudoun County Public Schools administers the Free and Reduced Meal Program in strict adherence to Federal and State regulations. For your student to receive a free or reduced-price meal through the FARM program, they must choose a complete meal. This program covers a complete breakfast and/or lunch. However, it does not cover a la carte items, second meals, or any extra purchases.

These additional items will be charged directly to your student's account. You can find more details on what constitutes a complete meal in the "Complete Meal Components" of our website.

Please remember that applying for the FARM program won't remove any charges that were on your child's account before your application was submitted and approved.

Complete Meal Components

Students eligible for free or reduced meals can receive a free Breakfast Meal and a Lunch Meal per Day. Students under the FARM program need to choose a complete meal for their meal to be free of charge.

A complete lunch meal includes at least three meal components, with one required to be a fruit and/or vegetable.

  • Components of the meal:  Grain + Protein + Fruit + Vegetable + Milk

  • ***** All entrées include both a grain and a protein. If a student selects an entrée, they must also take at least one additional component—either ½ cup of fruit or ½ cup of vegetables—as required by the USDA.

  • If a student chooses only one or two components, they will be charged the full price for those item(s).

meal components in detail

Program Statistics

Why apply for Free and Reduced Meals?

For further information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits available, please see attached handouts and apply below! 

Free and Reduced Meal Application FAQs