USDA eliminates fees for low-income students’ school meals

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that, starting in 2027, students eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will no longer incur processing fees. The USDA has also released guidelines for schools to help them transition smoothly to this new policy and is encouraging early implementation.

The goal is to eventually remove online payment fees for all families, ensuring fair access to school meals. Secretary Vilsack emphasized USDA’s commitment to equitable meal access for children, noting that this initiative is a step toward making healthy school meals free for all students.

“USDA and schools across America share the common goal of nourishing schoolchildren and giving them the fuel they need to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “While today’s action to eliminate extra fees for lower-income households is a major step in the right direction, the most equitable path forward is to offer every child access to healthy school meals at no cost. We will continue to work with Congress to move toward that goal so all kids have the nutrition they need to reach their full potential.” 

As part of a broader push to reduce “junk fees,” the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service distributed a memo to schools, reiterating that a free and accessible payment option must always be available for school meal accounts.

Aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s national strategy to improve child nutrition, this policy builds on existing efforts. Schools that already use the Community Eligibility Provision continue to provide free meals in high-need areas, while eight states now offer meals at no cost to all students.

“The Department of Agriculture’s action applies to the 1 million children who receive reduced priced meals and lays the foundation to eliminate these junk fees for all 30 million children that receive healthy meals at school every day,” said National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard.

Since 2021, the USDA has supported healthy school meal programs with nearly $13.2 billion in funding, reinforcing the agency’s dedication to child nutrition and health across the nation.