Free School Meals Available Now for All Spring ISD Students for 2025–2026 School Year
The 2025–2026 school year is already underway across Spring Independent School District, but many parents may not realize an important benefit is already in place: every student in Spring ISD is eligible for free breakfast and lunch every school day, no application required.
As part of the district’s participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)—a federal initiative under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs—all students at all Spring ISD campuses automatically receive nutritious, made-from-scratch meals at no cost to families.
This means families no longer need to fill out forms or worry about account balances for daily meals.
“We want to make sure every family knows their child can eat for free—no questions asked,” said a spokesperson for Spring ISD Child Nutrition. “It’s one less thing for parents to worry about and one more way we’re supporting our students’ success.”
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a USDA-supported program that allows schools in eligible areas to serve breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students at no cost—without requiring meal applications. This program also helps reduce the stigma often associated with free or reduced lunch and promotes equity across campuses.
School Has Started—But It’s Not Too Late
Some families may have missed the announcement earlier this summer, but it’s not too late to take part. All Spring ISD students are automatically included, and parents do not need to complete a meal application to qualify.
However, families are encouraged to complete the district’s online annual student update if they haven’t already. This step helps Spring ISD gather important household income data that qualifies some students for extra benefits, such as reduced college application fees and testing discounts.
You can complete the student update at springisd.org/returning-students.
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Optional: SchoolCafé for Extra Purchases
While daily meals are covered, families still have the option to load funds into their child’s account via SchoolCafé for à la carte items like snacks, drinks, or extra meal servings.
Parents can also use SchoolCafé to:
- View school menus
- Monitor what their child is eating
- Set spending limits and dietary preferences
If your family does meet income eligibility guidelines, it may still be worth completing the SchoolCafé free/reduced-price meal application, as this unlocks other financial support programs outside the cafeteria.
Making Nutrition One Less Worry
Spring ISD’s decision to continue in the Community Eligibility Provision reflects its commitment to removing barriers for students and families—especially as rising living costs continue to stretch household budgets.
“For many of our families, this program brings peace of mind,” the spokesperson said. “It ensures students are nourished and ready to learn, and it eases a financial burden that many don’t talk about.”
All meals meet federal nutritional guidelines and are made fresh on campus. Whether your child prefers pancakes at breakfast or hot lunch favorites, they’ll have access to balanced meals that fuel their school day.
Who to Contact
Families who have questions or want to learn more can contact the Spring ISD Child Nutrition Department at 281-891-6445 or visit springisd.org/page/child-nutrition.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for more updates on Spring ISD, family resources, and school programs supporting student wellness and success across Spring, Texas.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
