Families in Indian River County can apply for free or reduced-price meals for students starting July 15. Students at six Indian River County schools can receive free meals during the 2026-2027 school year through federal nutrition programs. Other families in the district may still qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income criteria. Families are encouraged to complete one application per household to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals.
Families need their child's Student ID number and full formal name as listed in FOCUS. They also need a valid email address and either internet access or the LINQ Connect mobile app. Households receiving Florida Medicaid benefits should have their 10-digit Medicaid case number that begins with the number 1. This is the Medicaid case number, not the Medicaid card number. The case number can be found by logging into MyACCESS or looking at the Notice of Eligibility Review letter from the Florida Department of Children and Families. The case number is printed at the top of the letter.
To apply, families visit www.LINQConnect.com and either sign in or create an account. New users can click Register to create a free account. Families then search for Indian River County Public Schools in Vero Beach and add their students by entering the Student ID and using the formal name as listed in FOCUS, not nicknames. From the website homepage, families click School Services at the top menu and then select Free and Reduced Meal Application. Families using the app go to the homepage and click Free and Reduced Meal Application under Quick Links. Applicants fill in household information and income details and submit the application. Families receive an email when the application is processed.
Families with questions about the meal programs can contact Shawn O'Keefe, the district's nutrition services director, at (772) 564-5041 or shawn.okeefe@indianriverschools.org.