The Chapel Hill ISD announced today it will continue its policy to operate the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2022-2023 school year.
How is this being funded?
Schools qualifying to operate CEP serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals. This new approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 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).
How does this apply to Chapel Hill ISD?
The program takes the identified students and divides them by the population. Identified students are those who currently receive government assistance such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid Free, Homeless migrant worker children and Head Start. We count those children and divide by the total population in the district.
Why is Chapel Hill ISD eligible?
Any district that has more than 40% of the identified students is eligible for the program. Chapel Hill ISD's percentage is 64.69. There is a federal multiplier of 1.6, therefore, all students will receive free breakfast and lunch at CHISD.
Questions, comments or interview requests:
Contact Communications Director Belen Casillas at (903)566-2441.
About the CHISD Child Nutrition Department:
The department's mission is to contribute to the the well-being of every student by providing nutritious, appealing meals in order for each student to learn and perform at the highest level.
CHISD Student Nutrition Services provides breakfast and lunch in all schools at no cost to the student. Healthy food choices are offered in coordination with the Texas State Public Schools Nutrition Policy, which regulates nutrients in food items (reducing fat, sugar and salt content). Our team is dedicated to providing quality meals to students, staff, and visitors, and support learning by promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition practices.