Texas school districts end universal free meals due to SNAP changes

Changes to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility requirements are forcing several Texas school districts to end universal free meal programs for the 2026-2027 school year.

In Houston, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) announced that 33 campuses will stop providing automatic free lunches. This shift occurs because fewer students qualify for SNAP, preventing these campuses from meeting the threshold for the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows schools to serve free meals to all students without individual income verification. While breakfast will remain free at all HISD campuses, families at the affected 33 locations must now apply for free or reduced-price meals.

In San Antonio, the North East Independent School District (NEISD) reported that at least 30 schools will lose their CEP qualification. Parents at these campuses must submit applications to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. However, other San Antonio-area districts, including San Antonio ISD, North Side ISD, Southwest ISD, Edgewood ISD, and South Side ISD, will maintain full CEP enrollment, allowing them to continue providing free breakfasts and lunches to all students without individual applications.