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Five of Portland’s public schools will offer free breakfasts to all of their students for the first time, beginning in September.  Four elementary schools - Reiche, East End, Riverton and Presumpscot - and Lincoln Middle School will provide the free breakfasts.

Students arrive at school at the regular time to receive breakfast.  It is served during the first 10 minutes of the school day.  This model of breakfast in the classroom started at Reiche School.  It has since expanded and should be in place district-wide in the next two years.

Reiche also will offer all students a free lunch daily.  The meal costs are subsidized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  See the breakfast and lunch menus.

Families at all of Portland’s public schools may apply for free breakfasts and lunches, based on family income.  Applications will be included in students’ opening day packets and they must be returned by September 26. 

Due to changes in application procedures, some families automatically qualifying in the past now will be required to apply.  Families that automatically qualify for benefits will receive a phone call or letter in the first week of school to confirm their status. 

In previous years, some families qualified for reduced-price meals, with a co-pay of 40 cents.  This year, the district has eliminated the co-pay so that those meals will be free.