Students enrolled in a CEP school are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost to the household for the entire school year. 

Students enrolled in CEP schools will have access to breakfast and lunch at no cost to the household. When students go through the serving line, they have the option to eat some or all of the school meal or place the unwanted items on a “share table” for other students to have. The goal of the CEP program is to give all students access to prepared meals.

We recognize that for various reasons, children may not always want to consume certain food or beverage items included in their meal. Share tables are stations where children may place items they choose not to eat. These food and beverage items are then available to other children who may want additional servings. Children may take an additional helping of a food or beverage item from the share table at no cost. Each CEP school will have a share table available. 

Share tables are an innovative way to increase student food conservation efforts and reduce food waste. Share tables are used across the county, mainly in CEP schools. If a student doesn’t want certain items included with the meal, sharing those items can help classmates get more food if they are still hungry. There are many reasons why a student might be extra hungry, and it can vary from day to day. They might be hungrier if they are growing, are active during recess, or play sports. Focusing on these reasons can make it more socially acceptable to use the share table. Increased use of the share table will decrease waste. It can also reduce stigma - students who experience hunger at home may be more likely to use and benefit from the share table. This encourages students to be compassionate and kind.

The ability for a child to eat at no cost under the Community Eligibility Provision is associated with the school they attend. Therefore, if a child transfers to a school that is not listed above, the parent or guardian will need to provide payment for the child’s meals until a Free and Reduced Meal Application is completed and the parent or guardian receives notice that it is approved. The quickest way for an application to be processed is online at www.schoollunchapp.com.

CEP is part of the Child Nutrition Programs funded by USDA and the CEP only covers meals for children enrolled in that location. Accordingly, meals for staff or visitors (adult or child) are charged at the regular meal price. Breakfasts are $2.25 and lunches are $5.25.

If your child has money remaining in their My School Bucks account, there are three options:

• Leave the Money in the Account: Your child can use the remaining balance to purchase snacks or beverages available for sale in the cafeteria.
• Donate the Balance: You have the option to donate the remaining funds to another student’s account. Please contact our office at schoolnutrition@hcbe.net, and we will assist with this transaction.
• Request a Refund: Refunds under $5 can be processed directly at the school. Refunds over $5 need to be handled by our central office. Please contact our office at schoolnutrition@hcbe.net.

Snacks and beverages are available for purchase in the cafeteria in addition to the offered meal. These items are not part of the meals that are served at no cost. Most items cost between $0.75 and $1.50.

If you have students in both CEP and non-CEP schools, you will need to fill out an application to receive benefits for the student in the non-CEP location. For example, if you have a student at Hilltop Elementary and a student at Bonaire Middle, you will fill out an application and still include all household members in the count. The quickest way for an application to be processed is online at www.schoollunchapp.com.