KINGSPORT, Tenn. – At the June 2024 Kingsport City Schools Board of Education meeting, the KCS Board voted to implement the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program (in all KCS schools), which will permit the district to provide meal services to all enrolled KCS students at no charge, regardless of socioeconomic status, beginning Monday, August 5, 2024.

 

"The School Nutrition Services team could not be more excited about feeding our students a free healthy breakfast and lunch," said Kingsport City Schools Supervisor of School Nutrition Services, Jennifer Walker. "Hungry students can't learn, and it's a great feeling knowing we can now provide all KCS students with a basic need vital for their success as part of the education package."

 

KCS will be a part of the CEP program for the next four school years until time for renewal. 

 

"We are so proud of the dedicated school nutrition services staff in all KCS schools that work hard every day to provide delicious, nutritious meals to our students," said KCS Superintendent Dr. Chris Hampton. "By implementing the CEP program in all KCS schools, we can assure that every student will have full access to these meals on a daily basis."

 

Under the CEP program, all students enrolled in KCS will automatically qualify for breakfast and lunch at no cost without completing a free or reduced-priced meals application. This initiative not only simplifies the process for families, but also eliminates the stigma sometimes associated with receiving free or reduced-priced meals. 

 

A few exceptions apply. There will still be a charge for ice cream, a la carte items, snack items, and extra food items (seconds). Families can still upload money to student’s accounts for such items via LINQConnect.com. Employees and visitors will still be charged for meals. Children who attend Early Childhood Learning Centers (ECLC) can not be included in this program since they are not classified as an enrolled KCS student. Detailed pricing will be available in August on www.k12k.com - Families - School Nutrition Services - Meal Prices or click here.

 

Negative breakfast and lunch account balances from August 1, 2023 - May 23, 2024 will still need to be paid. To make arrangements to pay these balances, contact your child's school.

 

Schools participating in CEP are reimbursed based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals through specific means-tested programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), as explained by the USDA.

 

For additional information including a FAQ, visit  www.k12k.com - Families -  School Nutrition Services - Community Eligibility Provision Program FAQ or click here.