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 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_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\/2″ 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=”13347″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_target=”_blank” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https:\/\/www.sandiegohungercoalition.org\/blog\/2018\/3\/5\/expanding-breakfast-after-the-bell-in-san-diego-county” screen_reader_text=”Source: San Diego Hunger Coalition”][\/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”]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.<\/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<\/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:<\/p>\n High-participation schools can support lower-percentage schools through group applications, or multiple schools applying in one application. While school lunch participation is often strong, school breakfast participation tends to lag behind \u2013 presenting a great opportunity for growth. Increasing breakfast participation can significantly boost your CEP program\u2019s financial sustainability, since more meals served equals more reimbursements.[\/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\/3″ 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”]If your school has adopted CEP and is feeling a budget pinch, consider focusing on breakfast outreach. Use tools like social media, newsletters, and school websites to promote key messages, such as, \u201cSchool meals are free for all students \u2013 breakfast included!\u201d When families understand the benefits, participation rises.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][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=”2\/3″ 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=”13348″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” img_link_target=”_blank” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https:\/\/www.dekalbschoolsga.org\/school-nutrition\/files\/2025\/07\/COMMUNITY-ELIGIBILITY-PROVISION-PROGRAMS-SY-2025-2026-Flyer.pdf” screen_reader_text=”Source: Dekalb County Schools in Georgia”][\/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”]Learn more about the Community Eligibility Provision by visiting the CEP webpage on No Kid Hungry\u2019s Center for Best Practices<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> For any questions, <\/span>reach out to the No Kid Hungry Tennessee<\/span> team <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n By aligning summer and school meals, communities can create a seamless, year-round nutrition system that supports every child\u2019s health, development, and academic success.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"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”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":13345,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[26,52,53,28,54,36,37,38],"class_list":{"0":"post-13343","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-blog","8":"tag-breakfast","9":"tag-cep","10":"tag-community-eligibility-provision","11":"tag-school-breakfast","12":"tag-school-meals","13":"tag-summer","14":"tag-summer-ebt","15":"tag-summer-meals"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nOnce a school opts in, the identified student percentage (ISP) rate is locked in for five years. The ISP is calculated by dividing the total number of identified students by the total number of enrolled students.
\nNo child is ever charged for meals, and no parent has to complete a meal application.<\/p>\n