On Sept. 4, the New Paltz Central School District officially adopted the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
The program works to provide free breakfast and lunch daily to all students in the district, regardless of family income. This is made possible under the National School Lunch Act, which operates to ensure students receive nutritionally balanced meals at no extra cost. The district’s food service director, Sheila Moran, stressed the importance for schools to promote nutrition through the adoption of CEP. Moran said, “Every student should have access to at least one nutritious meal a day.”
Eligibility for the adoption of the CEP is reliant upon Identified Student Percentage (ISP), which factors in students who are recipients of free meals. If this percentage exceeds 25%, the district is then eligible to accept the CEP after being approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). According to NYSED, “by eliminating the household application process … CEP may substantially reduce administrative burden related to operating the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.”
As a district, the implementation of the program has little effect on the students receiving free meals. The students go through the lunch line, punch in their number and that meal is then recorded. “So, for every meal that we serve, then we’re reimbursed a certain amount by the federal government, and at the state level as well,” Moran said.
The CEP operates in relation to the nutritional requirements stated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA) in accordance with the National School Lunch Act. The program has gradually made changes to become consistent with the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is propelled by the USDA. The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service promises, “this rulemaking gradually phases in added sugars [sic] limits for the school lunch and breakfast programs and in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, updates total sugars limits for breakfast cereals and yogurt to added sugars limits.” The program works hand in hand with providing free meals to students when families are unable, as well as being an advocate for balanced meals.
Not only does the program help the community, but it also aims to build the knowledge of students on what foods make up a nutritionally dense diet. The adoption of this program means making healthy, balanced meals available to every student in the district.
When asked how the implementation of CEP affects the community, Moran replied, “I just think that it’s great for both students and families, from a financial standpoint, that they know the children can come to school, and they’re able to come in and start their day off with a nutritious breakfast.” This program is a positive addition to the school district, through both a financial and health-centric lens.
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