Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
The Community Eligibility Provision within the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs allows schools in high-poverty areas to offer nutritious meals at no cost to all students regardless of income level.
Media Release regarding CEP (Click here)
We are pleased to announce that ten schools will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program during SY’ 2024-2025. All children, regardless of income level, who attend a CEP school may receive one reimbursable breakfast and one reimbursable lunch at no charge each day they attend class.
The CEP program provides free school meals to all enrolled students without requiring families to fill out free and reduced lunch application. The entire school student body qualifies for this program based on the ratio of families who participate in the following federal programs: Food Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid-Free, Foster Care, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or McKenny Vento (homeless).
Please be aware that the number of families using federal assistance programs at your school is evaluated every April 1 to determine the fiscal viability of providing a CEP program in future years. We encourage everyone who can to enroll in these federal assistance programs to help ensure a continuation of the program at your school.
If you have questions about whether your family qualifies for any of the federal assistance programs mentioned, please visit www.benefits.gov or contact our district Child Nutrition office at 801-974-8380.
Questions and Answers:
1. What Salt Lake City School District schools will participate in CEP during the 2024-2025 school year?
The following schools are being authorized as CEP feeding sites: Backman Elementary, Edison Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Meadowlark Elementary, Parkview Elementary, Rose Park Elementary, Glendale Middle, and Horizonte Instruction and Training Center (registered k-12 students only).
2. Should I apply for free and reduced meal benefits if my student attends a CEP school?
Free and reduced meals applications are NOT required for students attending these CEP schools. However, parents must fill out a free and reduced meals application for their entire household if they have children attending other schools or if their student transfers to another school in the Salt Lake City School District. Free student meals DO NOT continue when a student transfers out of a CEP school.
3. Can my student purchase an extra milk or a second meal?
Each student at a CEP school qualifies to receive one free reimbursable lunch and one free reimbursable breakfast each day they attend school. All additional menu selections, such as extra milk, a-la-carte items, or a second meal, will be charged at full price.