All CCPS Students will Eat Breakfast and Lunch for Free in 2024-2025
Culpeper County Public Schools (CCPS) announces that all schools will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program for the 2024-25 school year. At the April 22, 2024 School Board work session, the School Board voted to enroll all schools in the CEP program for next year. This means that all elementary, middle and high school students will be able to participate in the breakfast and lunch program at no charge. Household applications will not be required to receive free meals.
The CEP is part of the federally funded National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program and eliminates the need for schools to collect household income applications by sharing eligibility data between specific Federal assistance programs. In the past, schools were required to have an identified student percentage of 40 percent or higher to elect the CEP program. Recently, that percentage changed to 25 percent, which makes all schools in CCPS eligible.
For the last two school years, Farmington, Pearl Sample and Sycamore Park Elementary Schools have been a part of the CEP program. When these three elementary schools initially joined the CEP program in 2022, the Culpeper County School Board decided to provide free meals at all elementary schools, by covering the cost for students who did not qualify for free or reduced meals at the non-CEP schools. Last year, our middle schools also joined the CEP program, leaving just our high school students paying for school meals in 2023-2024. This will change next year, as they will join the other schools in the CEP program.
Division Superintendent Dr. Tony Brads stated, “we are extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity for all schools to join the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program! This progression is consistent with previous action and intent of our School Board to provide nutritious meals for all students at no cost.” He added, “studies have repeatedly shown that students are more attentive, engaged, and productive if they are not hungry and this program is another way we can help address food insecurity for our students, families, and the community.”