Free Breakfast and Lunch Program
West Hartford Public Schools Nutrition Services
Free Breakfast and Lunch Program
Updates for Fall 2023
West Hartford Public Schools has received guidance from the State of Connecticut Department of Education regarding free meals for students.
Breakfast is FREE for All students and any student who qualifies for Reduced-Price Meals will receive FREE lunch.
Important reminders:
- One school breakfast is FREE for ALL students per school day.
- One school lunch per school day will be provided at no cost to each student who qualifies for Free and Reduced-Price meals.
- Second meals are available for purchase at the following prices:
Breakfast
$1.50 Elementary
$1.75 Middle/High
Lunch
$3.25 Elementary
$3.50 Middle/High
A la carte items are also available for purchase.
We will continue to collect free and reduced-price meal applications, as it is important that we do so in order to ensure families receive proper benefits. If you have not already submitted a 2023/2024 free and reduced-priced meals application, we encourage you to do so (see application link below). Please do not submit an application if you have already submitted one and were approved based on direct certification.
Student ID number (all grade levels)
All students are required to enter their student ID number at the cafeteria register.
For quicker transactions at the high school cafeteria
Grade 9-12 students can access the barcode generator on their mobile devices by accessing this link https://paypams.com/barcode, entering their Student ID number, and clicking ‘Generate Barcode.' They can save the barcode to their phones or go to the link each time they need it.
Free and Reduced Meals
The following parent video may be helpful in completing the free and reduced-price meals. application.
Three ways to apply!
- Complete an online application by clicking here or on red box below.
- Print an application from this link (English) or this link (Spanish). Return the completed application to your school office or the Nutrition Services Office in Town Hall.
- Request an application from your school office. Return the completed application to your school office or the Nutrition Services Office in Town Hall.
You can also click on the "Free and Reduced Lunch" tab at https://www.whps.org/offices-and-programs/nutrition-services for applications and more information.
In addition, the following information regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (see Addendum C) may be helpful.
Notice of Direct Certification for Free or Reduced-Priced meals (Anticipated Week of 8/28/23)
Before you apply, please wait to see if you receive a Notice of Direct Certification for free or reduced-price meals as of the week of 8/28/23.
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 without applying for benefits.
Some children who receive Medicaid (HUSKY A) benefits may also be directly certified and automatically eligible for reduced-price meals.
Sharing Information with other Programs 2023-2024
To save you time and effort, the information you provided on your Free and Reduced-price School Meals Application may be shared with other programs for which your children may qualify. We must have your permission to share this information with other programs.
Please complete this form (Addendum A English or Spanish) and return to your school for any additional benefits you are interested in receiving. By signing for the benefits, you are certifying that you are the parent/guardian of the children for whom the application is being made. Note: Submitting this form will not change whether your children get free or reduced-price meals.
If you have any questions, please contact your school office.
Information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Addendum C: Information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - English
Addendum C: Information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Spanish