Laguna Beach Unified Offers Free Breakfast and Lunch to All Students for 2026–27
Although meals are free for all students, families are encouraged to complete a free and reduced-price meal application.
The following is a press release from the Laguna Beach Unified School District and does not reflect editorial work done by Spotlight Schools. Submit a press release to Spotlight Schools by emailing hello@spotlightschools.com.
Laguna Beach Unified School District provides one breakfast and one lunch at no charge each school day to all students requesting meals during the 2026–27 school year through California’s Universal Meals Program.
Meals are available to students at El Morro Elementary School, Top of the World Elementary School, Thurston Middle School, and Laguna Beach High School. LBUSD participates in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, with additional state funding supporting free meals for all students, regardless of household income.
Meal applications and income eligibility
Although meals are free for all students, families are encouraged to complete a free and reduced-price meal application. Eligibility information helps the district receive federal meal reimbursement and may help families qualify for other benefits. Families may submit an application at any time during the school year.
Applications are available at [application link or location]. Households experiencing a change in income or household size, including unemployment, may submit or update an application.
The federal income eligibility guidelines below are effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. These guidelines do not limit access to free breakfast and lunch at LBUSD schools.
Free eligibility
Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice monthly | Biweekly | Weekly |
1 | $20,748 | $1,729 | $865 | $798 | $399 |
2 | $28,132 | $2,345 | $1,173 | $1,082 | $541 |
3 | $35,516 | $2,960 | $1,480 | $1,366 | $683 |
4 | $42,900 | $3,575 | $1,788 | $1,650 | $825 |
5 | $50,284 | $4,191 | $2,096 | $1,934 | $967 |
6 | $57,668 | $4,806 | $2,403 | $2,218 | $1,109 |
7 | $65,052 | $5,421 | $2,711 | $2,502 | $1,251 |
8 | $72,436 | $6,037 | $3,019 | $2,786 | $1,393 |
Additional | +$7,384 | +$616 | +$308 | +$284 | +$142 |
Reduced-price eligibility
Size | Annual | Monthly | Twice monthly | Biweekly | Weekly |
1 | $29,526 | $2,461 | $1,231 | $1,136 | $568 |
2 | $40,034 | $3,337 | $1,669 | $1,540 | $770 |
3 | $50,542 | $4,212 | $2,106 | $1,944 | $972 |
4 | $61,050 | $5,088 | $2,544 | $2,349 | $1,175 |
5 | $71,558 | $5,964 | $2,982 | $2,753 | $1,377 |
6 | $82,066 | $6,839 | $3,420 | $3,157 | $1,579 |
7 | $92,574 | $7,715 | $3,858 | $3,561 | $1,781 |
8 | $103,082 | $8,591 | $4,296 | $3,965 | $1,983 |
Additional | +$10,508 | +$876 | +$438 | +$405 | +$203 |
Source: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/rs/scales2627.asp
Children in households receiving CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations benefits may qualify for free meal eligibility without an application through direct certification. Certain children receiving Medi-Cal benefits may also qualify. Foster, homeless, migrant, runaway, and Head Start children may be eligible for free meal benefits. Families should contact Nutrition Services for assistance.
Households notified that their children have been directly certified do not need to submit a meal application for those children. Other households should follow the application instructions and provide all required information. Application information may be verified during the school year. Families may request a hearing to appeal an eligibility determination by contacting the California Department of Education Program Accountability team at CNPappeals@cde.ca.gov.
For applications, menus, or additional information, contact LBUSD Nutrition Services at bkriwinski@lbusd.org, or visit https://www.lbusd.org/departments/nutrition-services.
To learn more about the Laguna Beach Unified School District, visit www.lbusd.org. Stay connected by following @LagunaBeachUSD on Instagram and subscribing to the district newsletter (www.lbusd.org/itsawrap) for the latest news and updates.