For many students, the school cafeteria is more than just a place to eat — it’s a vital resource. Thanks to the Community Eligibility.
Provision (CEP) of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program, effective March 1, students at 45 Mesa Public Schools and five programs can now receive free breakfast and lunch through the 2024-25 school year.
This initiative represents a significant shift for families facing financial challenges. With rising food costs and economic uncertainty, many students rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition. CEP ensures that every student, regardless of their financial situation, can access healthy, nutritious meals without stigma.
Sabrina Kvavle, director of Food and Nutrition at Mesa Public Schools, notes that managers across the district have noticed an increase in food insecurity struggles at their sites. Parents are struggling to stretch their paychecks.
“For example, we have a single mom with children attending three different schools who has expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity for one of her children to receive free school meals, as she has faced financial difficulty in providing meals,” Sabrina says. “Her children didn’t qualify for free meals through the free/ reduced application, and every little bit helps.”
By participating in the CEP Program, Mesa Public Schools is taking a crucial step in addressing food insecurity and promoting equity in education. Students can focus on learning and growing, without the burden of hunger holding them back.
Kirk Thomas, principal at Mesa High School, is pleased about having this support for his students. “There are many families that just miss the income cutoff for free/reduced meals through the meal application process and struggle to find money for their child’s school meals. This will truly help many of our families.”
For more information on the federal CEP program, visit fns. usda.gov/cn/community-eligibility-provision