All Raleigh County students to receive free lunch and breakfast during 2024-25 school year

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — Students in Raleigh County will not have to pay for breakfast or lunch next school year thanks to a nationwide program.

According to a post from the Raleigh County Schools Facebook page, all schools throughout the county will be participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program.

Raleigh County Schools has chosen to implement the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for all schools beginning with the 2024-25 school year. As a result, ALL students will receive FREE breakfast and FREE lunch beginning next school year.

Raleigh County Schools | Facebook

The Community Eligibility Provision program is a “non-pricing meal service option” mainly used in low income areas, according to the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service . Implementing the CEP program will allow for Raleigh County Schools to serve all students free breakfast and lunch without having to collect home applications.

Schools districts that participate in the CEP program will be reimbursed based on the percentage of students already eligible for free meals and their participation in other programs like SNAP.

Schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

USDA Food and Nutrition Service

Information specific to West Virginia and the use of the Community Eligibility Provision can be found on the West Virginia Department of Education’s website .

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