Meal costs

The local agency has complete discretion in establishing student meal prices. However, if student payments are required, they cannot exceed forty cents for a reduced-price lunch. Qualifying students shall receive lunch free or at a reduced price. Local agencies must agree to establish and use fair hearing procedures as stipulated in the free and reduced-price policy for households contesting the agency's decision regarding an application for reduced-price or free meals. Local agencies under alternative provisions 2 and 3 for annual determinations of eligibility for free and reduced-price school meals and daily meal count by type, or the community eligibility provision may not charge for meals.