Nebraska reimburses schools for some free student meals

The department selects schools each year from applicants and reimburses participating schools for eligible meals. Schools in federal breakfast or lunch programs may apply, except schools that provide free meals to all students under the community eligibility provision. A participating school must serve meals at no cost to students who qualify for reduced-price meals and report how many eligible meals it serves. Public schools are reimbursed from the Hunger-Free Schools Cash Fund; nonpublic schools are reimbursed from the General Fund. The pilot covers school years 2026–27 through 2031–32. Reimbursement is based on eligible meals served during the second preceding school fiscal year.

The department must study the pilot and report its results to the Legislature. The study examines academic and behavioral performance of students attending participating schools. The study must protect students’ identities and follow state and federal privacy laws. The study uses data from school years 2026–27 through 2031–32. The report is due by December 1, 2032.

The law sets aside money for state aid under the act. The appropriations go to the State Department of Education for Program 158. The money is for state aid only and cannot be spent on state employee salaries or per diems. The appropriations apply to fiscal years 2026–27 and 2027–28.