The Child Nutrition Program understands that situations may occur when a child forgets their lunch money and we will allow a student to charge a meal. A meal charge is defined as a short-term loan for a child to eat because the child forgot lunch, their lunch money or has lost it. Students in need of a meal, but with no funds available, will be provided a qualified USDA meal and parent/guardian will be responsible for those charges. Parent/guardian are responsible for keeping up-to-date on their child’s meal account balance.