Families can find out whether their child(ren) qualify for free and reduced price meals in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal by completing the Free and Reduced Price Meals Application. Log in to your child's account and look under "Meal Benefits" to begin the application.

For answers to commonly asked questions about the Free & Reduced Price Meals Application, please visit our FAQs section.

Please note, if you completed an application before July 1, 2026, you will need to complete a new one under the new federally defined school year (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027).

The Northwest R-1 School District participates in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This allows families the opportunity to apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meal Benefits.

Applications may be submitted any time during the school year. Eligibility cannot be backdated, benefits will start the date which the application was received. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility.  The 2026-27 Income Eligibility Guidelines and how to apply are below.

Effective July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027

Please see the USDA Maximum Household Gross Income (income before taxes and deductions are taken out) eligibility thresholds below.

1. Login to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

   • This is the same login username and password used for online enrollment.

2. Click on “More” in the left-hand menu.

3. Click on “Meal Benefits”.  The link to the online application is found here.

   • Please note, it is important to review the application instructions and to complete the application correctly. Any missing or incorrect information will delay the processing of your application as we will need to reach out to gather the correct information.

1. Click the links below to open the paper application.

   • 2026-27 English Free and Reduced Price Meals Application

   • 2026-27 Spanish Free and Reduced Price Meals Application

     • If you need a translated application, please click the link to go to the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Translated Applications website which contains applications translated in several different languages.

     • The paper application must be for the current school year. Applications submitted with a previous school year listed at the top will delay processing as you will be notified to complete the current school year's application.

2. Print the application

3. Complete the application in accordance to the instructions included with the application

   • Please note, it is important to review the application instructions and to complete the application correctly. Any missing or incorrect information will delay the processing of your application as we will need to reach out to gather the correct information. Applications without signatures and the last four of the SSN (if applicable) are incomplete and will result in the application being sent back to you for a signature and the last four of your SSN (if applicable).

4. Take clear pictures of the completed application and email it to ccarden@northwestschools.net. You may also send it to school with your child or mail it to Northwest Food Service 4290 Gravois Rd. House Springs, MO 63051.

Applications will be available at any Northwest school building.

For questions regarding the application, please call 636-677-3473 x 21126 or email ccarden@northwestschools.net.

The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the information on this application. You do not have to give the information, but if you do not, we cannot approve your child for free or reduced price meals. You must include the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. The last four digits of the social security number is not required when you apply on behalf of a foster child or you list a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) case number or other FDPIR identifier for your child or when you indicate that the adult household member signing the application does not have a social security number. We will use your information to determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced price meals, and for administration and enforcement of the lunch and breakfast programs. We MAY share your eligibility information with education, health, and nutrition programs to help them evaluate, fund, or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider