RRPS offers free, no-hassle meals to all students this school year

RIO RANCHO — Rio Rancho Public Schools’s executive director of the Student Nutrition Department (SND) Felix Griego announced on Monday via news release that RRPS will officially be offering two free meals to every RRPS student everyday throughout the 2024-25 school year.

“This is due to Rio Rancho Public Schools electing to operate the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program, as well as to the state passing the Healthy Universal Free Meals Bill, which will supplement the federal reimbursement for all students' meals,” Griego said.

In addition to offering each student a free lunch and a free breakfast daily, the SND has also removed barriers to access. According to the news release, students and parents don’t need to pay any fees or fill out any forms, including the Application for School Lunches form that was previously required.

If any student has dietary restrictions or requires a la carte items, additional funds may be required. For more information on specialty items, visit the SND website.

Greigo points out that this program will have lasting benefits and has been shown to create positive change in other communities.

“These programs have been proven to decrease food insecurity for children and increase student performance in the classroom,” Griego said.

According to the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), a watchdog group tracking food insecurity in school-aged children across America, though more expensive, similar programs in other school districts have seen dramatic results by ensuring all their students were fed.

“Children who eat breakfast at school — closer to class and test-taking time — perform better on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast,” FRAC said in the 2022 report, “Breakfast for Learning.”

FRAC also found that free or “universal” breakfast for students has benefits across several areas beyond increased test scores.

“Providing students with breakfast ... is associated with lower tardy rates, fewer disciplinary office referrals and improved attendance rates.”

Each RRPS school offers its own menu, which can be found at rioranchops.nutrislice.com/menu, but the SND said it has been working to ensure the meals are nutritious and delicious.

From the Bacon, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Tacos at Vista Grande Elementary School to the Popcorn Chicken Potato Bowl at Cleveland High School, every student will get a good meal twice a day this school year — at just the right price.