Over 500 Virginia schools join C.E.P. initiative for free breakfast and lunch

Roanoke, Virginia – Beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year, several schools across Roanoke City, Lynchburg, and other areas will be implementing the “Community Eligibility Provisions” or C.E.P.

The C.E.P. initiative empowers schools with high poverty rates, and their respective divisions, to provide complimentary breakfast and lunch to every student, thereby negating the need to gather household applications for eligibility assessment.

Virginia Hunger Solutions reports that, as of now, 511 Virginia schools have integrated C.E.P., marking a significant 56% growth since the academic year 2018-2019.

For schools that elect to join C.E.P., they are assured of maintaining a consistent meal reimbursement rate for a duration of four years.

For details on whether your school has opted for C.E.P., click here.