Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana - In a move that is set to benefit thousands of students, the Calcasieu Parish School Board has announced that it will continue to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost to families for the fourth consecutive year. This initiative, which will be in effect for the 2024-2025 school year, is made possible through the USDA's Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program.

The CEP program is a federal provision that allows eligible school districts to provide free meals to all students, regardless of their family's income level. To qualify for this program, a district must have a certain percentage of students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program.

By participating in the CEP program, the Calcasieu Parish School Board can provide nutritious meals to all students, without the need for families to apply or pay for these services. This not only benefits students from low-income families but also helps to alleviate the administrative burden of collecting payments and processing applications.

By providing free meals, the district aims to promote better health, concentration, and overall academic performance among its students.

In a statement, the Calcasieu Parish School Board expressed its excitement to once again offer this valuable resource to its students.

As the new school year approaches, students and families in Calcasieu Parish can look forward to enjoying healthy and tasty meals, courtesy of the school district's continued participation in the CEP program.