Oxford, AL – In a significant move aimed at enhancing student nutrition and easing financial burdens for families, Oxford City Schools announced the initiation of free meals for students starting today, made possible through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Cheyenne Mattox, the Child Nutrition Program Director, expressed enthusiasm about the program, stating, “The CEP program allows us to provide nutritious, balanced meals to every student for free. We hope this will benefit students and their families in many ways, including easing financial burdens and reducing time spent packing meals.”
Under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, Oxford City Schools will participate in CEP for the remainder of the school year. This provision, a key component of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, enables schools and school districts in low-income areas to eliminate school meal applications, offering breakfast and lunch at no charge to all enrolled students.
Mattox explained, “In the operation of child feeding programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.” Parents and guardians are not required to take any further action, as the USDA provision ensures that students can partake in the school meal programs without paying any fees or submitting meal applications.
The CEP program not only relieves parents from the financial burden but also streamlines the process for students to access nutritious meals. It allows food service professionals more time to focus on preparing wholesome meals, and by eliminating meal applications, it reduces time spent in lunch lines.
Mattox highlighted the broader impact of the program, emphasizing, “We’re excited for the changes in our Child Nutrition Program – we began offering new menu items at the beginning of the school year, and now students get to enjoy these meals at no cost to their families.”
The free breakfast and lunch meals are available for all students, commencing on Monday, January 8, and extending throughout the rest of the school year. Parents and guardians should note that a la carte items, such as chips, cookies, flavored waters, etc., are not included in the program and will require separate payment if chosen by the students.
For further information or inquiries, parents and guardians can contact Cheyenne Mattox at cmattox@oxboe.com. The Oxford City Schools administration encourages everyone to celebrate this initiative, ensuring that all students have access to nutritious meals without any financial burden.
