Through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), Orange County Public Schools will once again serve all students in the district all school meals at no charge for the upcoming school year.
This initiative emphasizes OCPS’ commitment to ensuring that every student has access to nutritious meals that support their health and academic success.
According to the school system, there is no need for families to submit any forms or applications to qualify for this benefit, unless you have children enrolled at one of the three new schools opening this year around Orlando. They are: 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 is dedicated to ensuring that 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 local meal program. To apply, parents must visit the OCPS site or the local school’s website.
Benefits of Community Eligibility Provision (CEP):
- Nutritional Support: Every student will have access to balanced and healthy meals, which are essential for their physical and cognitive development.
- Increased Participation: With the elimination of meal fees, more students are likely to participate in the school meal program, leading to higher overall student well-being.
- Reduced Stigma: Universal free meals remove the stigma associated with free or reduced-price meal programs, fostering a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
- Administrative Efficiency: Schools can streamline their operations, focusing more on serving nutritious meals and less on managing meal applications and payments.
“Our goal is to ensure that no child goes hungry and that all students have the nutrition they need to succeed,” said Mark Watson, OCPS Food and Nutrition Services Senior Director. “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.”
For more information about the Meals Benefits Application, contact the OCPS FNS Meal Benefits Team at 407-858-3110.
