As families in our community prepare for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year, the School District of Indian River County has announced a welcome initiative that will help local parents save on daily expenses. Thanks to federal nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, students at six select local campuses will receive complimentary meals.
The School District of Indian River County is stepping up to support local families by offering no-cost meals at select campuses for the 2026-2027 school year through federal nutrition initiatives.
Ensuring that students start their day with proper nutrition is a priority for our local educational system. The district has outlined specific complimentary meal offerings based on the attending school:
- Fellsmere Academy: Will provide both free breakfast and free lunch to all enrolled students throughout the entire school year.
- Pelican Island Classical Magnet: Free breakfast provided to all students.
- Citrus Elementary: Free breakfast provided to all students.
- Dodgertown Elementary: Free breakfast provided to all students.
- Vero Beach Elementary: Free breakfast provided to all students.
- Indian River Academy: Free breakfast provided to all students.
If your child does not attend one of these specific campuses, your family may still qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household size and income criteria. The school district is currently mailing application letters to all homes with parents or guardians in the area. To take advantage of this program, families can simply complete the online meal application and return it to their child’s respective school.
For any Vero Beach or Treasure Coast residents with questions regarding these nutrition programs, the district encourages reaching out directly. You can contact Shawn O’Keefe, the district’s nutrition services director, by calling (772) 564-5041 or via email at shawn.okeefe@indianriverschools.org. Local parents can also visit or direct inquiries to the School District of Indian River County main administrative offices, conveniently located at 6055 62nd Ave in Vero Beach.
