Income requirements released for free lunches

The state Department of Education has released income criteria for free or reduced-price student meals during the 2009-10 school year.

Households will be asked to fill out an application listing their income level in order to qualify.

Qualification is based on household size and relative income.

For example, a family of four must earn no more than $28,665 to qualify for free lunch, breakfast or milk, or $40,973 to qualify for reduced-price lunch or breakfast.

Households that already receive Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP or FDPIR benefits may not have to fill out an application for the program.

To view the full income criteria, visit any public elementary school.

— Candice Baker