Meal Prices

Can every student in Houston County receive school meals at no charge?
The School Nutrition Program is federally funded, and USDA guidelines determine which schools are eligible to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows all students qualifying schools to receive meals at no charge. Currently, 31 sites in our district qualify for CEP. We are committed to continuing to explore and advocate for opportunities that may allow additional schools to qualify for free meals in the future.  Families in non-CEP schools are encouraged to complete the federal free and reduced-price meal application as quickly as possible. Based on household income, students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. School Nutrition is willing to work one-on-one with families to complete meal applications and provide benefits to those who qualify. Click here to apply: https://www.hcbe.net/snpmealapp. 

Which schools in Houston County qualify for CEP?For the 2026-2027 school year, the following sites will provide meals to all enrolled students at no charge: CB Watson Primary, Centerville Elementary, David Perdue Elementary, David Perdue Primary, Eagle Springs Elementary, Feagin Mill Middle, Hilltop Elementary, Huntington Middle, Lake Joy Elementary, Lake Joy Primary, Langston Road Elementary, Langston Road Primary, Miller Elementary, Morningside Elementary, Northside Elementary, Northside High, Northside Middle, Parkwood Elementary, Pearl Stephens Elementary, Perry High, Perry Middle, Quail Run Elementary, Russell Elementary, Shirley Hills Elementary, Thompson Middle, Transition Academy, Tucker Elementary, Warner Robins Middle, Warner Robins High, Westside Elementary, and WIN Academy

Why do adult meals cost more than student meals?
The School Nutrition Program is designed and federally funded to serve children. USDA regulations require that the price of an adult meal fully covers the cost of preparing and serving it. The purpose of this regulation is to ensure that federal child nutrition funds are used only to support student meals and are not used to subsidize meals for adults.

What if a family cannot afford to pay for school meals?
Families in non-CEP schools are encouraged to complete the federal free and reduced-price meal application as quickly as possible. Based on household income, students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. School Nutrition is willing to work one-on-one with families to complete meal applications and provide benefits to those who qualify. Click here to apply: https://www.hcbe.net/snpmealapp. 

How do schools qualify to be a CEP school? 
A school qualifies based on the number of students who are automatically eligible for free meals through programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, foster care, homelessness, or other federally approved categories. The higher the percentage of students who are directly certified through these programs, the more federal funding the school receives to provide meals at no cost to every student. Please visit our website for more information: https://www.hcbe.net/snpcommunityeligibility

What opportunities are available for my child to receive free meals when school is not in session?
The School Nutrition Department is committed to helping ensure children have access to nutritious food throughout the year. We offer several programs when school is not in session, including:

• Summer Meals: Each summer, we provide approximately 500,000 free meals to children across Houston County through a variety of meal distribution sites and programs. Visit: https://www.hcbe.net/snpsummermeals/families
• Winter Break Snack Bags: Before winter break, we provide free snack bags to help students have access to food during the extended holiday. Details for the 2026–2027 program will be shared as they become available!