Houston Independent School District families at 33 campuses will see a major change when the 2026–2027 school year begins: universal free lunch will no longer be available to every student at those schools. The change affects more than 35,000 students and follows shifts in federal food-assistance eligibility that have reduced the number of campuses qualifying for the Community Eligibility Provision, a federal program that allows high-poverty schools to serve meals to all students at no charge.
Under the new system, students attending the 33 non-CEP campuses must have an approved Meal Benefits Application on file to receive free or reduced-price lunch. Families that do not qualify will be required to pay for lunch. HISD says breakfast will continue to be offered free to every student at every district campus, regardless of household income or meal eligibility.
The affected schools include Baker Montessori, Briarmeadow Charter School, Bush Elementary, Condit Elementary, Harvard Elementary, Helms Elementary, Horn Elementary, Kolter Elementary, Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, Oak Forest Elementary, Poe Elementary, River Oaks Elementary, Roberts Elementary, Sinclair Elementary, Travis Elementary, Twain Elementary, West University Elementary, Wharton Elementary, Hogg Middle School, Lanier Middle School, Pin Oak Middle School, T.H. Rogers Middle School, Bellaire High School, Carnegie Vanguard High School, Challenge High School, DeBakey High School for Health Professions, Energy Institute High School, Heights High School, Houston Academy for International Studies, Kinder HSPVA, Lamar High School, Waltrip High School and Westside High School.
The Houston Chronicle reported that the change comes after federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, affected the data used to determine school eligibility for universal meals. Child nutrition advocates have raised concerns that requiring families to apply individually could cause some eligible students to miss out on meal benefits and could increase food insecurity for households already struggling with rising costs.
HISD is encouraging families at the affected campuses to complete a School Nutrition Meal Application even if they are unsure whether they qualify. Applications opened July 22, and the district’s Student Eligibility and Accountability Department can assist families at 713-491-5944 or eligibilityinfo@houstonisd.org. The first day of school for HISD students is Monday, August 10.
