DALLAS — Dallas ISD's Food and Child Nutrition Services (FCNS) announced that all students will eat for free during the 2024-2025 school year under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
According to the school district, the CEP allows eligible schools to feed students for free regardless of income.
"Under the CEP, schools receive funding based on a formula that relies on data from other sources, so families no longer have to submit applications reporting their household income if they want to take advantage of free school meals," Dallas ISD FCNS said in a news release.
FCNS said that students who have access to good nutrition tend to perform better in the classroom, resulting in better grades, attendance and fewer disciplinary issues.
Dallas ISD has been a part of the free meal program for several years, dating back before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dallas ISD believes that by feeding all children for free, the CEP allows them to reduce the stigma associated with traditional free meal programs at school.
In addition to reducing the stigma, Dallas ISD said the CEP eliminates overhead costs involved with processing school meal applications and allows nutrition staff to streamline meal services.
"In these difficult times, families with tight budgets can rest assured that their child can get at least two nutritious meals every day at school," Dallas ISD FCNS said.
