Stamford Public Schools To End Free Lunch Program: Report

STAMFORD, CT — Due to budget cuts, Stamford Public Schools will end its free lunch program, Stamford Advocate reported this week.

According to SPS, students who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price lunch program will continue to receive benefits.

The cost to continue the program for all students was estimated to be $1 million in the upcoming fiscal year, the Advocate said. Federal waivers, which expired in 2022, were given out during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulted in a surplus in the district's lunch fund.

The surplus and a high reimbursement rate allowed SPS to offer free lunches over the last few years, the Advocate added, but the school district expects the surplus to run out by next school year.

About 52 percent of Stamford students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, according to the Advocate.

The proposed SPS budget is $347.1 million.

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Editor's note: This post has been edited to reflect that students who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price lunch program will continue to receive benefits.