MSBSD continues to offer free and reduced cost meals

One look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the most basic of necessities to enable children to learn is healthy meals, something the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) offers every school day.

During these times of economic uncertainty for many families across the MSBSD, as the federal furlough lingers on and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are ending for millions as a result of the shutdown, Diane Russo, the MSBSD Director of Nutrition Services, has some information regarding SNAP benefits and freed and reduced cost meals.

While MSBSD does not have plans to offer additional meals services, they are continuing to encourage families who are either affected by the SNAP benefits suspension or are furloughed federal employees to apply for their meal program. If approved, their children will receive both breakfast and lunch at their schools for free.

Additionally, families that had previously applied and were denied and are now experiencing a change in income, are encouraged to apply again.

Once on the program, students are good for the entire school year (until June 30, 2026). If they are already on the program through SNAP, they will remain on the program until June 30, 2026, no matter if they lose SNAP benefits in the meantime. It would be those who are currently not on the program who will not be able to sign up for SNAP that would be affected by the SNAP halt of benefits the most.

“We would charge meals accordingly, so if they are not on our program, they will be charged a per meal charge at pricing schools. CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) schools are free meals (breakfast and lunch) for all students, and we would encourage them to take advantage of the free meals and eat breakfast and lunch at school to minimize their grocery costs.”

Parents can submit applications to enroll their student(s) in the free and reduced meal program online through SchoolCafe or via a printable application found under the Nutrition Services section of Public Forms. Paper applications cannot be submitted via email or fax, but must be submitted to the student's school or directly to Nutrition Services (690 E Cope Industrial Way, Palmer, AK 99645).

Some general information required include:

-Total household size

-Income for all household members (Income guidelines are available here) NSLP Alaskan Income Guidelines 2025-26

-Student name(s)

Additional information that is helpful, though not required, includes the student's birth date, enrolled school, and MSBSD ID number

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to (907) 861-5100.

For more information, please visit www.matsuk12.us/business-departments/nutrition-services/free-reduced-application