(STONE MOUNTAIN, GA) — More DeKalb County School District (DCSD) students will be able to enjoy breakfast and lunch for free during the 2024-25 school year! The District is excited to announce that its Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) nutrition program has expanded. The program is now offered at 105 schools, and any student who attends one of the CEP schools is eligible for breakfast and lunch at no cost.
“We are excited to expand the number of DeKalb County School District CEP programs from 75 to 105,” said Dr. Connie Walker, Executive Director of DCSD School Nutrition Services. “Programs that support our students and community are essential to academic success. School Nutrition Services will do everything within our capacity to help students be as ready to learn as possible.”
CEP allows schools and districts in high-poverty areas to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
If your student’s school is not on the CEP list, students may be eligible for free or reduced meals. To apply for meal benefits, visit www.schoolcafe.com. DCSD’s new culinary menu for the 2024-25 school year can be viewed at https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/school-nutrition/menus/.