The updated United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutritional Service (FNS) policy SP 46-2016: Unpaid meal Charges - Local Meal Charge Policy

• Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the previous school year, will continue to receive the same benefits until a new applications is processed or up until thirty days of the new school year.
• Students who are unable to pay for their meal at the time of the meal service shall be allowed to charge a meal for the first twenty one days of school.
• Students shall not be denied a meal within seven days after the meal account reaches a zero balance;
• After the first 21 operating days, student shall be extended maximum credit for 7 operating days.
  • cash equivalent of 7 breakfast and 7 lunch total

• Children who qualify for free meals may never be denied a meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from other purchases in the cafeteria, and
• Students submitting new applications and approved for free or reduced-price meals will receive retroactive credit to clear charges based on application submission date but not the month prior. Applications shall be date stamped with the application submission date.
• Schools shall prohibit the charging of àla carte or extra items by any child with a negative balance, regardless of the child’s eligibility status