Next year, students will continue to eat breakfast and lunch free of charge in White County’s public schools as part of a federally funded program.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) eliminates the need for families to submit applications to receive free or reduced-price meals. This cuts down on administrative and printing costs and eliminates the stigma for students who receive nutritional assistance.
“Children need healthy meals to learn,” the school system matter-of-factly states in a news release.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, the program also eliminates unpaid meal charges and streamlines meal service operations.
To be eligible for the program, at least 25% of a school district’s students must receive nutritional assistance outside of school. This includes programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Last year, White County fed students free of charge, as did several other Northeast Georgia counties, including Banks, Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Madison, Rabun, Towns, and Union.
