How to Apply for Free or Reduced-Price School Meals in Sumner County

Sumner County Schools accepts free and reduced-price meal applications online through the LINQ Connect Family Portal. Families should submit one complete application for all students in the household. A new application is generally required each school year unless the district has notified the family that eligibility carries forward. For the 2026-27 school year, the district lists reduced-price breakfast at $0.30 and reduced-price lunch at $0.40. Apply through the district’s School Nutrition page or contact Sumner County School Nutrition at 695 East Main Street in Gallatin or (615) 451-6550.

Families in Sumner County can apply for free or reduced-price school meals through Sumner County Schools’ School Nutrition Program. The district directs parents and guardians to the LINQ Connect Family Portal for online applications, meal-account management and school menus.

For the 2026-27 school year, Sumner County Schools lists reduced-price breakfast at $0.30 and reduced-price lunch at $0.40. The district lists full-pay breakfast at $2.50, full-pay lunch at $4.25 and elementary full-pay lunch at $3.75.

> Last verified: August 15, 2026

> Responsible agency: Sumner County Schools School Nutrition Program

> Geographic scope: Sumner County, Tennessee

Quick answer for Sumner County families

1. Go to the [Sumner County Schools School Nutrition page](https://www.sumnerschools.org/parents/school-nutrition).
2. Select the district’s Free and Reduced Meal Application link, which opens LINQ Connect.
3. Complete one application for all students in the household.
4. Submit the application and follow any instructions from the school district.
5. Use the same district page to view menus, manage meal payments and find meal-modification information.

Sumner County Schools says families must set up a new LINQ Connect account because information from the previous system does not transfer into the new account. The district also says account balances held by Nutrition Services will transfer when a family sets up its portal account.

Who handles school meal applications in Sumner County?

The Sumner County Schools School Nutrition Program handles school meal applications for students in the district. The program’s central-office address is:

Sumner County Schools School Nutrition

695 East Main Street

Gallatin, TN 37066

Phone: (615) 451-6550

The broader Sumner County Schools contact listing gives the district’s central-office phone number as (615) 451-5200 and lists office hours as Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For meal-application questions, start with the School Nutrition contact information rather than a city department.

How to submit a free or reduced-price meal application

Step 1: Open the official application

Start at the [Sumner County Schools School Nutrition page](https://www.sumnerschools.org/parents/school-nutrition). The district’s application button directs families to LINQ Connect’s online free-and-reduced meal application.

Using the district page is the safest starting point because the application address is managed by a separate platform and could change. Sumner County Schools identifies LINQ Connect as the place where parents can submit free- and reduced-meal applications, monitor transactions, set low-balance alerts and make meal payments.

Step 2: Complete one application for the household

Tennessee’s school-meal guidance says one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application may be used for all students in the household. The application should be complete and include the requested household information.

Before starting, gather the information the application requests, such as:

• The names of the students in the household
• The school or schools each student attends
• Household members and income information, when required
• Any public-assistance information requested by the form
• Contact information for the parent or guardian submitting the application

The exact fields and screens are controlled by LINQ Connect. Follow the current instructions shown in the application rather than relying on an older paper form or a prior year’s screenshots.

Step 3: Submit the application

Review the form for missing information before submitting it. Incomplete applications can delay the district’s determination or lead to a request for clarification.

Tennessee guidance says a household may apply at any time during the school year. A family whose income changes—for example, because a parent or guardian becomes unemployed—may submit an application later in the year.

Save any confirmation screen or email generated by LINQ Connect. If the application requires follow-up, respond through the method identified by the district or contact School Nutrition at (615) 451-6550.

What families should know about eligibility

Free and reduced-price meal eligibility is determined under federal school-meal rules and local district procedures. The USDA publishes annual income eligibility guidelines that apply from July 1 through June 30. The 2026-27 guidelines apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027..

The district’s 2026-27 meal-price sheet includes an income chart by household size. It lists annual, monthly and weekly figures for households of one through eight people, plus an amount for each additional household member. Families should use the current application to determine whether they qualify rather than trying to make a final decision from a partial chart or an older school-year document.

SNAP, Families First, WIC and direct certification

Tennessee says children in households receiving SNAP or Families First may qualify for free meals, and the state advises families to follow the instructions they receive from the school or district. Children in households receiving WIC may also be eligible, but Tennessee says a meal application may still be required.

Some students may be identified through direct certification. If the district has already notified your family that a child is approved, read that notice carefully before submitting another form. If you are unsure whether your child was directly certified, contact the school or School Nutrition office.

Do families need a new application every year?

Generally, yes. Sumner County Schools’ 2026-27 meal-price sheet states that a new application must be completed each year. Tennessee guidance also says a prior-year approval does not automatically replace the new-year application unless the school or district tells the family that the student is already eligible for the new school year.

2026-27 Sumner County meal prices

The district’s 2026-27 price sheet lists these amounts:

Meal — Reduced price — Full-pay price

Breakfast — $0.30 — $2.50

Lunch — elementary — $0.40 — $3.75

Lunch — other listed district rate — $0.40 — $4.25

The price sheet says students whose household income falls within the listed guidelines may qualify for free or reduced meals. Eligibility is determined through the district’s application process.

Because meal prices can change by school year, families should check the current district price sheet before sending money with a student or relying on an older article, flyer or social-media post.

Where to find Sumner County school menus

Sumner County Schools links its breakfast and lunch menus through LINQ Connect. The menu link is available from the district’s School Nutrition page and from the district’s main navigation.

To check a menu:

1. Open the [School Nutrition page](https://www.sumnerschools.org/parents/school-nutrition).
2. Select Breakfast / Lunch Menus.
3. Choose the student’s school or location in the menu system.
4. Check the date and meal period before making plans.

Menu availability and selections can change. The district’s official menu platform is the appropriate source for the current day’s offerings, not a copied menu from a previous school year.

The LINQ Connect portal may also be used for meal payments, transaction monitoring, balance reminders and low-balance alerts. The district says payments can be made through Visa, MasterCard or Discover, with a processing fee for certain transactions.

What if a student needs a meal accommodation?

Sumner County Schools provides a Request for Meal Modifications form for students whose disabilities require dietary accommodations. The district’s form explains that federal law and USDA regulations require reasonable meal modifications for children with disabilities. It also states that a medical statement from a qualified, state-recognized medical authority is required for the medical portion of the request.

The form addresses dietary restrictions related to a disability, including allergies and digestive conditions. It does not treat personal food preferences as disabilities. Families should use the district’s current meal-modification form and work with the school when a student needs an accommodation.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using last year’s form: Sumner County Schools says a new application is required each year unless the district has provided different instructions.
• Submitting one form per child: Tennessee guidance says one household application can cover all students in the household.
• Leaving sections incomplete: Review the application before submitting it.
• Assuming WIC automatically completes the process: Tennessee says WIC households may be eligible, but an application may still be required.
• Relying on an old price sheet: Meal prices and income guidelines change by school year.
• Using a copied menu: Check the current LINQ Connect menu for the student’s school and date.
• Waiting until the next school year after a financial change: Tennessee guidance says families may apply at any time during the school year.

Official next steps

For most families, the next step is to open the [Sumner County Schools School Nutrition page](https://www.sumnerschools.org/parents/school-nutrition) and select the LINQ Connect free-and-reduced meal application.

If you need help with an application, meal account, current price or menu, contact Sumner County School Nutrition at (615) 451-6550. For broader district assistance, Sumner County Schools lists its central office at 695 East Main Street, Gallatin, TN 37066.

For related student tasks, see My Gallatin’s [school and student resources](https://mygallatin.com/search?q=school%20student%20tasks) and [Sumner County school information](https://mygallatin.com/search?q=Sumner%20County%20Schools).