For years Vernon ISD students have been able to qualify for free or reduced-price meals, however this year for the very first time, all VISD students will be able to receive free breakfasts and lunches from the school cafeterias.
The change is due to Vernon ISD qualifying as a Community Eligibility Provision district, which allows all students pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade to receive free meals from the cafeteria. “I am thrilled to be able to feed every child in our district breakfast and lunch at zero cost, because this helps lighten the financial burden of their parents,” said Skyler Boatman, VISD Child Nutrition Director. “Now, we can ensure that a nutritious breakfast and lunch is available every school day to every student, without their parents worrying about paying for it.”
The Community Eligibility Provision is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas. This federal option allows the nation’s highest poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting individual household applications.
In the past, each student household had to complete an application to see if they qualified for the free or reduced-price meal program. CEP districts in low-income areas are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
The level of participation in these programs determines the level of federal funding for the school meals programs. CEP reduces the administrative burden for schools and allows them to offer free meals to all students.
Anyone with questions concerning the free meal program may contact Vernon ISD Child Nutrition Director Skyler Boatman at 940-553-1900 or at skyler.boatman@visdtx.org