We are PLEASED to announce that all students will be offered a free breakfast and a free lunch for the 26-27 school year, thanks to California’s Universal Meals program! Thank you for trusting us to feed your students! We take pride in serving our students with a smile- we look forward to supporting their academic day by providing delicious and nutritious meals. Curious about our regulations for school meals? Check out the link below!
Does my student need to complete an application?
Although California provides free school meals to all students, both the Free & Reduced Application and the Universal Benefits Application help VUSD receive important state and federal funding and may qualify eligible families for additional benefits and programs.
Does your student attend a CEP school (listed below)?
♦ No application needed for meals.
Does your student attend a non-CEP school?
♦ Complete the Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application.
Does your student attend a CEP school and you need to apply for additional benefits?
♦ Complete the Universal Benefits Application.
The following schools do NOT require a free/reduced application as they are on a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 26-27 school year:
Pacific High School
DATA Middle School
EP Foster Elementary
Elmhurst Elementary
Lemon Grove K-8
Lincoln Elementary
Portola Elementary
Sheridan Way Elementary
Interested in filling out one of the applications indicated above?
Media Release CEP
Media Release English
Media Release Spanish
Letter to Households English
Letter to Households Spanish
SUN Bucks Summer Food Program Renewed For Kids in 2026!
California’s Summer EBT program, known as SUN Bucks, is returning in 2026. This food program provides families $40 per month for food in June, July, and August ($120 total) when children do not have access to school meals.
Most children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application, or get CalFresh, CalWORKs, and/or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled. Children in foster care, and/or identified as experiencing homelessness are also categorically eligible and are automatically enrolled. Some children may need to sign up. Participating in SUN Bucks does not affect a family’s immigration status.
Questions about SUN Bucks? Use the link below, or give us a call!
Susan Gallardo (805)-641-5000 ext. 1306
Do you have a cafe question? You may reach your school cafe manager by dialing the school phone number and using extension 1555. No one answers? Please leave us a message!