{"id":12782,"date":"2025-08-26T16:12:56","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T16:12:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/kentucky\/?p=12782"},"modified":"2025-08-26T16:19:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T16:19:15","slug":"from-summer-to-school-ensuring-year-round-access-to-meals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/kentucky\/2025\/08\/26\/from-summer-to-school-ensuring-year-round-access-to-meals\/","title":{"rendered":"From Summer to School: Ensuring Year-Round Access to Meals"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”12784″ image_size=”medium_large” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]As summer ends and a new school year begins, we acknowledge the hard work of summer meal sponsors and advocates to bridge the gap to keep children healthy, connected, and ready to learn. Just this past June, Kentucky summer meal sponsors served 5.1 million meals to children across the Commonwealth \u2013 a powerful illustration of the impactful work of community organizations.<\/p>\n

Breakfast After the Bell<\/strong><\/p>\n

When school is back in session, school meal programs pick up the baton. \u00a0School breakfast and lunch help students stay nourished and ready to succeed in the classroom. School breakfast, in particular, is linked to better test scores, improved behavior, higher attendance, and overall health<\/a>. \u00a0Breakfast After the Bell not only makes it easier for more students to participate but also is supported by Kentucky state law<\/a>, thanks to passage of the Barriers to Breakfast Bill in 2022.\u00a0 \u00a0Learn more about Breakfast After the Bell from No Kid Hungry\u2019s Center for Best Practices<\/a>. If you’re interested in implementing in your district, you can check out our toolkits<\/a> on different breakfast models.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”12785″ image_size=”medium_large” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

Source: San Diego Hunger Coalition<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Did you know that every county in Kentucky is home to schools adopting CEP during the 2025-26 School Year?\u00a0 Widespread adoption of CEP across the Commonwealth by 1,157 schools from 172 districts last year resulted in 600,027 Kentucky students having cost free access to the adequate nutrition provided by school meals. (FRAC). Besides strengthening nutrition security for all children, CEP plays a critical role in ending child hunger as nearly 30% of Kentucky food insecure are estimated to be income ineligible for free and reduced-price school meals. (Map the Meal Gap).<\/p>\n

CEP<\/a> allows eligible schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of income \u2014 no applications required. CEP reduces administrative burden, eliminates stigma, increases participation in school meals, and supports a whole child approach to learning. When children are well nourished, they are more focused, attend more regularly, and experience fewer behavioral issues.<\/p>\n

CEP supports all students by eliminating out-of-pocket food costs for families and making school meals universally accessible. By removing the need for meal applications and tracking unpaid meal charges, school nutrition teams can streamline operations and implement innovative service models, like meals in the classroom. These benefits often lead to stronger financial outcomes for school meal programs, thanks to increased participation and more efficient service delivery.<\/p>\n

Under CEP, schools receive funding based on a formula using data from programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – meaning families no longer have to submit income applications. Thanks to federal rule changes in 2023<\/a>, the eligibility threshold for CEP was lowered from 40% to 25% of students directly certified for free meals. This change has opened the door for many more schools to participate. Key benefits include:<\/p>\n