Community Eligibility Provision

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a U.S. federal program that allows schools in low-income areas to provide free meals to all students without requiring individual applications for assistance. Instead of assessing each family's income, schools determine eligibility based on the percentage of students who already qualify for other assistance programs. This simplifies the process, reduces stigma, and ensures that more children receive nutritious meals during the school day, which can enhance their learning and overall well-being. CEP aims to improve access to healthy food for students in need, ultimately fostering better educational outcomes.