- Six Indian River County schools will offer free meals during the 2026-2027 school year.
- Fellsmere Academy will provide both free breakfast and lunch to all students.
- Other district families can apply for free or reduced-price meals based on income.
The School District of Indian River County announced Tuesday that six campuses will provide no-cost meals to students during the 2026-2027 school year. The meals will be funded through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, two federal nutrition initiatives designed to reduce meal costs for families.
Which Schools Will Offer Free Meals
Fellsmere Academy will go the furthest, offering both free breakfast and free lunch to all students throughout the entire school year. Five other schools in Indian River County will provide free breakfast only. Those campuses are:
- Pelican Island Classical Magnet
- Citrus Elementary
- Dodgertown Elementary
- Vero Beach Elementary
- Indian River Academy
Students at these five schools will still need to pay for lunch unless their household qualifies for the district’s free or reduced-price meal program.
How Other Families Can Qualify for Free or Reduced Meals
Families at other schools in the district may still be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Eligibility is based on household size and income. The district is mailing application letters to all homes with enrolled students. Parents and guardians can apply online and return the completed form to their child’s school.
Families in Vero Beach and across the county with questions can contact nutrition services director Shawn O’Keefe at (772) 564-5041 or shawn.okeefe@indianriverschools.org. The School District of Indian River County offices are located at 6055 62nd Ave in Vero Beach.
What This Means for Indian River County Families
The free meal program gives families at qualifying schools a direct way to reduce daily school costs. For students at Fellsmere Academy, the savings cover both breakfast and lunch every school day. Families who are not at one of the six named schools should still apply, as income-based eligibility could allow their children to receive free or reduced-price meals throughout the year.
