All OCPS students to receive free meals

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved Orange County Public Schools to serve all students all school meals at no charge for the 2023-24 school year.

The Community Eligibility Provision program was authorized by Congress as part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. CEP aims to provide no-cost meals to students in eligible schools, eliminating the need to collect household applications to determine eligibility for the free and reduced school meals program.

The implementation of this initiative minimizes stigma, reducing paperwork for school nutrition staff and families, and streamlines meal service operations. When all students have easy access to healthy school meals, meal participation tends to increase and more children can experience nutritional benefits that fuel their learning, growth and development, according to OCPS.

CEP is a reimbursement alternative for eligible local educational agencies and schools participating in both the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Snacks and dinner are based on individual school qualifications. Parents should check with their child's school for participation information.