The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows local educational agencies (LEAs) in high-poverty areas to offer school breakfast and lunch through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs to all students at no cost. CEP can provide numerous benefits to LEAs, including substantial administrative savings from the elimination of household applications for free and reduced price meals, streamlined meal service operations, higher student participation, and more opportunities for children to receive nutrition necessary to optimize academic achievement. CEP may be implemented in individual schools, groups of schools, or in entire school districts.

Related Content: NSLP and SBP State Agency Memos