FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CONTACT: STEPHANIE ROMERO
COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA SPECIALIST
949-497-7700 ext. 5307 | SROMERO@LBUSD.ORG

October 8, 2025

Laguna Beach Unified offers free breakfast and lunch for all students

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif.- Laguna Beach Unified School District announced that it will be serving meals to students under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for the 2025-2026 school year. All students will be served breakfast and lunch at no charge under the California Universal Meals Program at the following sites:

El Morro Elementary School

Laguna Beach High School

Thurston Middle School

Top of the World Elementary School

“At Laguna Beach, we want every student to know that they are cared for and supported in every aspect of their well-being, and that begins with ensuring no child goes hungry. Universal meals not only meet a basic need but also strengthen our sense of community, equity, and belonging. When students have access to healthy, nourishing meals, they are better prepared to learn, connect and thrive,” said LBUSD Superintendent Jason E. Glass, Ed.D.

For more information, contact Briana McCabe, Nutrition Services Supervisor, at bmccabe@lbusd.org or 949-497-7700, ext. 5216, at 550 Blumont St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

While the program will offer free Universal Meals for all students, households are encouraged to complete an application for free and reduced-price meals, which may support the school district’s local education funding and could also qualify the family for additional benefits. Regardless of determined eligibility, all students will continue to receive free meals for the 2025-2026 school year.

“Our goal is to make healthy food accessible, delicious, and welcoming for all students, every day. We’re proud to serve meals that reflect our community’s commitment to wellness and sustainability, using fresh ingredients and friendly service to help students start their day ready to learn and succeed,” said LBUSD Nutrition Services Supervisor Briana McCabe.

Households do not need to submit an application when the household receives a notification letter saying that all children automatically qualify for free meals when any household member receives benefits from SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR. Children who meet the definition of foster, homeless, migrant, or runaway, and children enrolled in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals. Contact school officials if any child in the household is not on the notification letter.

Applications will be sent to the household with a letter about the free and reduced-price meal program. Households that want to apply for meal benefits must fill out one application for all children in the household and give it to the nutrition office at 550 Blumont St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651. For a simple and secure method to apply, use the online application at bmccabe@lbusd.org. Contact Briana McCabe at (949) 497- 7700 ext. 5216 for help filling out the application. The school will let the household know if the application is approved or denied for free or reduced-price meals.

Households may submit an application at any time during the school year. If a household is not currently eligible but experiences a decrease in income, an increase in household size, or if a household member begins receiving SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR benefits, an application may be submitted at that time. Information given on the application will be used to determine eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school officials.

Households that receive Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits, may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals by filling out an application.

Foster children are eligible for free meals and may be included as a household member if the foster family chooses to also apply for the non-foster children on the same application. Including foster children as a household member may help the non-foster children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. If the non-foster children are not eligible, this does not keep foster children from receiving free meals.

The child’s eligibility status from last school year will continue into the new school year for up to 30 school days or until the school processes a new application, or the child is otherwise certified for free or reduced-price meals.

If a household does not agree with the decision or the results of verification, they may discuss it with Briana McCabe, nutrition services supervisor at Laguna Beach Unified School District. The household also has the right to a fair hearing, which may be requested by calling or writing the hearing official. For questions regarding the formal appeal process, to confirm receipt of a formal appeal, and for general appeal questions, contact the Program Accountability team at CNPappeals@cde.ca.gov.

Non-discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

fax: 202-690-7442; or

Email: Program.Intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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