OCPS to offer meals at no charge for 2024-25 school year

Orange County Public Schools will once again serve all students in the district all school meals at no charge for the 2024-25 school year.

The initiative is made possible through the Community Eligibility Provision, which emphasizes the district's commitment to ensuring every student has access to nutritious meals that support their health and academic success.

Benefits of the CEP include nutritional support, increased participation, reduced stigma and administrative efficiency.

"Our goal is to ensure that no child goes hungry and that all students have the nutrition they need to succeed," Mark Watson, OCPS food and nutrition services senior director, said. "By participating in the CEP program, we are taking a significant step towards improving the well-being of our students and removing any barriers to their academic success."

Families do not need to submit any forms or applications to qualify for the benefit, unless their children are enrolled at one of the three new schools opening this year: Atwater Bay Elementary School, Luminary Middle School and Innovation High School. These new schools do not yet have the student household data necessary to gain CEP status. 

OCPS representatives said they are dedicated to ensuring all students eat at no charge and will take on the financial responsibility to make this happen. 

To mitigate this expense, OCPS is asking that families attending the new schools fill out the Meals Benefits Application and qualify for the federal funds used to subsidize the meal program. 

To apply, parents can click here or visit their school’s website.

For more information about the Meals Benefits Application, contact the FNS Meal Benefits Team at (407) 858-3110 or email [email protected].