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 twelve schools are qualified and participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program during SY’ 2023-2024. 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 are participating in CEP for the 2023-2024 school year?
The following schools are approved CEP feeding sites: Backman Elementary, Edison Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Mary W. Jackson Elementary, Liberty Elementary, M. Lynn Bennion Elementary, Meadowlark Elementary, Riley 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?
All students who attend approved CEP schools, regardless of income level, are eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each day they attend school. Free and reduced meal benefit applications will not be collected for students attending a CEP school.
IMPORTANT - Parents must remember to fill out a free and reduced meal benefit application for their entire household if they have children attending other schools, or if their student transfers from a CEP school to attend another school in the Salt Lake City School District. Free student meals DO NOT continue with the student when they transfer out of a CEP school.
3. Can my student purchase an extra milk or a second meal?
Students at a CEP school are eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each day that they attend school. However, if the student elects to take an extra milk or a second meal, their school meal account will be charged the full price for the extra milk ($0.50), second lunch ($3.75), or second breakfast ($2.75).