The Fern Ridge School District began providing free lunch and breakfast to all students this year after qualifying for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
The CEP allows schools and districts who are in low-income eligible areas to provide school breakfast and lunch at no cost to student families.
“We have never qualified until this year because they lowered the 40% threshold to 25%,” FRSD Business Manager Quanah Bennett told Falcon News.
According to the Oregon Department of Education, about 70% of schools in the state of Oregon will now offer free breakfasts and lunches to all students this year, an increase from about 55% last year.
Participants of CEP are approved for four years, which may be stopped anytime during the four-year duration.
Students must get a full meal to receive the lunch for free, which includes an entree, a side of a fruit or vegetable, and milk.
Students are still able to get an extra meal during lunchtime, but they are not free and those students must have money on their lunch account.
