Rachel Carson Elementary School

2025–2026 Household FARM Applications

All meals are free for students who qualify for Free And Reduced-price Meals; students who are approved for reduced-price meals eat for free!

The Department of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) encourages families with students enrolled at non-CEP schools to complete a FARM application online.  Applications for the 2025–2026 school year will be available July 30, 2025.

Click here for an English video tutorial on how to complete the FARM application.  
Vea aquí un vídeo paso a paso en español sobre cómo completar la solicitud de FARM.

Click here for additional "How To" PowerPoint (in English & Español) made by MCPS Family Engagement Specialist, Alejandra Jarquin. 

• Households must apply for FARMS every school year.  Student meal benefit eligibility from the prior school year carries over for the first 30 operating days OR until a new eligibility is determined.  If a new eligibility is not determined by the 30th school day (October 9, 2025), students default to a paid status and will be charged for meals. 
• Households may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year.
• Students qualify for free meals when total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Chart below.
• Use ONE application for ALL students in the household—including Pre-K, kindergarten, and foster—even if they attend different schools. 
• If one student in household attends a CEP school, a FARM application must still be submitted for students enrolled in non-CEP schools. Include ALL student names on the application (see list of CEP schools above).
  
• Paper applications are available in each school's front office.  Households that apply online should not submit a paper application.
• If applying for a child who is homeless, a migrant, or a runaway, please complete and submit MCPS Form 335-77 Homeless Status, call the child's school, or contact the MCPS Homeless liaison at 240-740-4511.
• Each student will be notified of meal benefit status (including both those approved, and those who do not qualify) by mail.  Please keep this important document for your records and use throughout the school year.
  
• Meal Eligibility is confidential information. Federal regulations governing school meal programs require that a student's eligibility for FARMS are used only to provide meal benefits.
• Verification of FARM applications is conducted annually each October. A random selection of households approved for FARMS will be required to verify the information listed on the application. Households selected will be notified, including details for how to comply with the verification process.
• Households that are unable to apply online should contact their school or the Department of Food and Nutrition Services at 240-740-7400.