{"id":12949,"date":"2025-08-28T19:18:29","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T19:18:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/louisiana\/?p=12949"},"modified":"2025-08-28T19:18:29","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T19:18:29","slug":"from-summer-to-school-ensuring-year-round-access-to-meals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/state.nokidhungry.org\/louisiana\/2025\/08\/28\/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=”12951″ 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 last summer in 2024, summer meal sponsors served millions of meals to children across the country \u2013 a powerful illustration of the impactful work of community organizations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No Kid Hungry Louisiana extends our gratitude for your hard work and dedication in ensuring that students across Louisiana have access to nutritious meals year-round. For more information about summer meals in Louisiana, visit <\/span>Louisiana Fit Kids Summer Meals<\/span><\/a>. Additional food bank resources are available through <\/span>Feeding Louisiana<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

When school is back in session, school meal programs pick up the baton. School breakfast and lunch help students stay nourished and ready to succeed in the classroom. Breakfast, in particular, is linked to<\/span> better test scores, improved behavior, higher attendance, and overall health<\/span><\/a>. Strategies like Breakfast After the Bell make it easier for more students to participate. Learn more about Breakfast After the Bell from<\/span> No Kid Hungry\u2019s Center for Best Practices<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>[\/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=”12952″ 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:<\/span> San Diego Hunger Coalition<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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

CEP<\/span><\/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.<\/span><\/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.<\/span><\/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<\/span> federal rule changes in 2023<\/span><\/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:<\/span><\/p>\n