The 2025-2026 Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) application is now available! The criteria for determining eligibility for FRL was expanded last school year by the state of New Jersey. Completing the FRL application benefits students and the district as a whole. If determined eligible, children receive meals at no cost during the school year and families may receive financial assistance for purchasing food when school meals are unavailable.

Beyond meal benefits, these applications can provide additional resources to families and provide the district with additional state and federal funding. We encourage all families to apply, even if you are unsure of your eligibility. The expansion of FRL eligibility criteria by the state means that families who were not eligible in prior years may now be eligible in 2025-2026. The process is simple and confidential, and the potential benefits are substantial.

The application can be accessed through the following link: https://www.elmwoodparkschools.org/page/lunch-applicationforms. If you have any questions, need assistance with the application process, or need to access a paper application, please email Cheryl Proto at cproto@epps.org.

Gilbert Avenue Elementary School