Youngstown joins growing list of schools offering free meals

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — The Youngstown City School District announced Friday it is joining the growing ranks of local districts offering free meals to students without the hassle of paperwork for parents.

It’s part of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program for the 2024-2025 school year. These programs fall under the larger Community Eligibility Provision Program , which can offer breakfasts and lunches to children and eliminate the collection of meal applications at schools where 25% of families participate in income-based public benefits.

Students can come through the cafeteria line to receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. There is no need to apply to receive free meals.

Youngstown joins Austintown Local Schools , Sharpsville Area School District, Leetonia Exempted Village School District, Niles School District, Newton Falls Exempted Village School District, and Fairhaven School , among others .

Additionally, families with children eligible for school meals may also qualify for free health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start and Healthy Families programs.

For more information, call 1-800-324-8680 or visit the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services website .

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