Officials with the Escalon Unified School District’s Food Service Department have announced some good news: For the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, EUSD has opted to participate in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the California State Universal Meals Program. This means that all students enrolled in Escalon Unified schools will receive breakfast and lunch free of charge.
However, noted officials, it remains critical that you complete and submit the Alternate Income Form found in your students’ first day packets when school resumes in August or fill out the form online. Families only need to complete one form per family, listing all their students on the same form.
Filling out the form allows the school district to continue to be eligible to participate in the programs that provide no cost meals to all students. The Universal Benefits Application may help to determine eligibility for other programs, like the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) also referred to as SUN Bucks, discounted technology and Wi-Fi programs, free AP exams and more. This form can be accessed online at: https://escalonusd.rocketscanapps.com/.
Children receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) or Medicaid (HUSKY A) benefits may be directly certified and automatically eligible for free meals and other types of assistance without applying for benefits. Questions regarding SNAP/TFA/Medicaid and direct certification should be sent to the EUSD determining official, Shelli Nicholas, at 209-838-3170.
If you have students in the district and have received a Notice Of Direct Certification for free or reduced-price meals, you are not required to complete the Universal Benefits Application unless instructed to do so by the district. Let the school know if any children in your household are not listed on the Notice of Direct Certification letter you received, since free or reduced meal benefits are extended to all children in a household when directly certified.
Additionally, all school-aged students can receive school meal benefits regardless of a student’s immigration status and the district/school does not release information for immigration-related purposes in the usual course of operating the Child Nutrition Programs.
The Escalon Unified School District complies with the federal requirements for meal modifications for students with special dietary needs. The requirements for meal modifications are different for students with and without disabilities. For more information, contact Food Service Director Shelli Nicholas at 209-838-3170.
Escalon Unified School District and the USDA are equal opportunity providers and employers.
