For the 2026-2027 school year, the Escalon Unified School District 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, it remains critical that families complete and submit the Household Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals found online at the site below or through the Aeries Parent Portal for new or returning students.
Families only need to complete one form per family, listing all your students on the form. Filling out the form allows the district to continue to be eligible to participate in the programs that provide no cost meals to all students. The Household Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals may help to determine eligibility for other programs, like SUN Bucks, discounted technology and Wi-Fi programs, free AP exams and more. This form can be accessed online at: https://www.mymealtime.com/apps/signin.aspx
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 directed to the determining official, Shelli Nicholas at 209-838-3170.
If you have received a Notice Of Direct Certification for free or reduced-price meals, you are not required to complete the Household Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals 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 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 the food service director, Shelli Nicholas at 209-838-3170.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
