Las Vegas, NV - August 21, 2024
Today, Governor Joe Lombardo released an open letter to Nevada parents reiterating his commitment to Nevada students and detailing information on how families in need can access free school meals for the 2024-2025 school year.
“My administration has worked hard to give our schools, teachers, and students critical new funding and resources, so that we can maximize student success and learning outcomes,”
writes Governor Joe Lombardo. “Last year, I allocated over $12 billion in funding for K-12 education, which increased per pupil funding by 25 percent and represented the largest education investment in state history.”
“However, we also know that ensuring a safe and secure learning environment includes ensuring access to free or reduced-price meals for students in need,” Governor Lombardo continues. “I’m grateful that we have robust programs in place to ensure that these students receive free school meals in Nevada.”
Governor Lombardo then highlights that through existing programs, every Nevada student in need has access to free meals. Currently, 80.6% of Nevada students are automatically eligible for free school meals through their school’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) designation. In addition to those 80.6% of students who are automatically eligible, any student participating in another federal assistance program is automatically certified for free school meals.
Lastly, Governor Lombardo explains that if a student does not attend a CEP school and their household does not participate in any other federal assistance programs, their parent or guardian can still fill out the Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals to determine their eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Any family in need is encouraged to apply.
Governor Lombardo concludes his letter, writing, “I think most Nevadans would agree that politics has no place in our school cafeterias. Families deserve confidence in our school meal programs, and students deserve easy access to nutritious meals at school. They deserve to know the truth. For more information on how to access free or reduced-price school meals, please visit the Nevada Department of Agriculture
The full letter to Nevada parents is attached, along with a Free and Reduced-Cost School Meal Fact Sheet and updated list of Nevada schools with Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) status.