Nevada details taxpayer-funded lunch program

(The Center Square) – Gov. Joe Lombardo has written a letter to Nevada parents detailing how they can access “free school meals” for the new school year.

Lombardo told parents that he is committed to Nevada students, and that his administration has worked hard to provide new funding and resources to schools, teachers, and pupils.

“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,” wrote Lombardo.

The governor added that access to full-or-partially taxpayer-funded meals for students in need is vital to providing a safe and security environment for learning.

“I’m grateful that we have robust programs in place to ensure that these students receive free school meals in Nevada.”

Approximately 81 percent of Nevada students are automatically eligible today for free school meals through their school’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) designation. Meanwhile, the governor’s office told parents that any student participating in another federal assistance program is automatically certified for free school meals. Parents or guardians of students not attending a CEP school -- or part of a household not participating in federal assistance programs – can apply for free and reduced-price school meals.

Lombardo, a Republican governor collaborating with a Democrat-controlled legislature, said politics has no place in the cafeterias of Nevada schools.

“Families deserve confidence in our school meal programs, and students deserve easy access to nutritious meals at school,” wrote the governor. “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 website.”