Students attending six Indian River County schools will have access to free meals during the 2026-2027 school year through federally funded nutrition programs. The School District of Indian River County announced Tuesday that it will participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program to provide no-cost meals to eligible students, helping families reduce daily food expenses.
Fellsmere Academy will be the most comprehensive participant in the program, offering free breakfast and lunch to all students throughout the entire school year. Five other schools in the district will provide free breakfast to their students: Pelican Island Classical Magnet, Citrus Elementary, Dodgertown Elementary, Vero Beach Elementary, and Indian River Academy. These six schools represent a significant expansion of meal support across the county's education system.
Beyond the schools offering universal free meals, other families in the Indian River County school district may still qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on their household size and income. The district is sending application letters to all homes in the district to inform parents and guardians about the program. Families who wish to apply can complete an online meal application and submit it to their child's school. This process allows the district to determine eligibility for families who do not automatically receive free meals.
Parents and guardians with questions about the meal programs can reach out to Shawn O'Keefe, the district's nutrition services director, at (772) 564-5041 or shawn.okeefe@indianriverschools.org. The School District of Indian River County main offices are located at 6055 62nd Ave in Vero Beach for those seeking additional information or assistance.