Academy Provides Input to FNS on Community Eligibility Provision, Increasing Options for Schools

May 9, 2023 – The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics strongly supports and advocates for healthful school meals. School meals are crucial in alleviating childhood food insecurity, and studies continue to show schools are the healthiest place in the U.S. for children to eat. School meals can have a positive impact by helping to reduce racial disparities in health and education, while also supporting learning, attendance and behavior.

In comments submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service agency on May 8, 2023, the Academy highlighted the opportunity to expand the Community Eligibility Provision, a non-pricing meal service option for school districts in areas where a high percentage of families with low incomes live. CEP can help ensure that more students in eligible school districts have access to healthful, nutritious meals throughout the school day. CEP increases participation in the school meal program, helps eliminate stigma around participation in free and/or reduced meal provision, reduces administrative burdens, and streamlines food service operations. These multiple benefits accrue to students, families, and school districts. Moreover, CEP is a proven strategy for reducing household food insecurity and combatting child hunger.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, schools across the country reported a myriad of benefits of offering free meals to all students: reduction in student hunger, supporting household finances, improvements in student behavior and academic achievement, and easing administration and operations. Conversely, the return to a tiered-eligibility system has been challenging for students, families, and schools, with many districts reporting an increase in school meal debt.

Read the Academy’s comments here.