Wayne County Schools to Continue Free Breakfast and Lunch Program

The Wayne County School System has announced that Wayne County Schools will once again participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) this school year, a federal program that provides free breakfast and lunch for all students.

Under the CEP program, every student enrolled in a Wayne County public school will receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day, with no application or income verification required. The initiative is part of a federal program designed to support student health and academic success by reducing barriers to nutrition access.

“This is a huge win for our families and our students,” school officials said in a statement. “Every child deserves a healthy meal so they can focus on learning.”

It’s important to note that the free meals include standard, full meals only. Extras such as à la carte items, snacks, or second meals will still need to be purchased separately.

School officials are encouraging all students to take advantage of the program, even if they don’t normally eat school meals. Increased participation helps ensure the program remains viable in future years.

“We’re proud to continue investing in the well-being of our students,” the district said. “Your support helps us keep this going.”

The CEP program was initially adopted in Wayne County during the last school year. At that time, the Wayne County School Board explored and discussed the many intricacies of the program, ultimately determining that it would cost Wayne County schools approximately $125,000 per year. The board agreed that the program would be beneficial for all students and would be worth the costs incurred.

For more information about school menus and meal schedules, parents are encouraged to visit the Wayne County Schools website, www.waynetn.net.