Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Now Open for KCS Families

The following notice is being provided to media partners in accordance with the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 7 CFR 245.5(a), based on guidance from the Tennessee Department of Education.

Knox County Schools is announcing its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

The 2026-27 school year begins on Aug. 10, and families that are unable to pay for breakfast and lunch meals at school – or do not attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school – can now apply for free and reduced-price meals.

Families can apply for meals through the LINQ Connect portal, and more information about LINQ Connect is available on this FAQ page. Paper applications are also available.

All children in households receiving benefits from SNAP or Families First can get free meals regardless of their income. In addition, children can get free or reduced meals if their household’s gross income is within the free or reduced limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. However, the application for free and reduced-price meals must be filled out annually.

For School Year 2026-27, KCS will continue to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) at select schools. All children at CEP schools will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge under this provision. A complete list of CEP schools as follows:

CEP Schools:

CEP is a key provision of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, which allows schools in low-income areas to eliminate school meal applications and serve breakfast and lunch at no charge to all enrolled students. Breakfast and lunch meals will follow the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for healthy school meals, so please encourage students to participate.

If students do NOT attend a CEP school, families are encouraged to submit a free and reduced-price meal application to determine their eligibility for free and reduced-price meals. A list of non-CEP schools is as follows:

NON-CEP Schools:

Children need healthy meals to learn. Knox County Schools offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast and lunch meals will follow the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for healthy school meals, so please encourage students to participate. “In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age or disability.”

Parents or guardians who need further information may contact Knox County Schools Nutrition Department at 865-594-9563.