Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Community Eligibility Provision?
The Community Eligibility Provision is a free meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas. It allows the nation's highest-poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting free and reduced-price meal applications from households.
How is eligibility for the Community Eligibility Provision determined?
Eligibility is determined by the percentage of students who are directly certified by the state for free meals through programs such as Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). If this percentage is too low, the school may not qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision.
Can our school reapply for the Community Eligibility Provision in the future?
Yes, the school nutrition program will re-evaluate eligibility each year, and may apply for it if the percentage of directly certified students increases.
How does the Community Eligibility Provision impact funding for the school nutrition program?
It can provide significant financial benefits by simplifying meal service and reducing administrative costs. However, the school nutrition program may face budget shortfalls, should the percentage of identified students not be high enough.
Are there alternative programs if our school cannot adopt the Community Eligibility Provision?
Bulloch County Schools will continue to participate in Provision Two Breakfast at the three schools that do not currently operate under Community Eligibility Provision. This provision allows our program to offer breakfast to all students at no cost. Schools that do not qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision can still offer free or reduced-price meals to eligible students through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
Why have meal prices increased so much this year?
Meal prices for school nutrition programs may increase due to rising food costs, increased labor costs, and other operational expenses. The goal is to cover these costs while still providing quality nutritious meals.
If I have to pay full price for my child’s meals, how much will that be monthly/annually?
Please see the chart on this webpage which shows what the monthly and annual cost will be for those who will be paying for reduced-price or full-price meals based on the number of school days.
How are meal prices determined?
Meal prices are set based on the cost of food, labor, equipment, and other overhead expenses. School nutrition programs must also abide by the United States Department of Agriculture's Paid Lunch Equity rule which makes sure that they charge enough money for paid lunches to cover the cost of making them. This helps school nutrition programs ensure they have enough money to give healthy meals to all students. By following this rule, districts can continue to offer free or reduced-price lunches to kids who need them. It is important to note that school nutrition programs must balance the budget to ensure the nutrition program is financially self-sustainable.
Are there any programs to help families who cannot afford the increased meal prices?
Families can apply for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program meal application process. Eligibility is based on household income and size. Meal applications are available at open house events, school campus main offices, and at our School Nutrition Office located at 18201 Highway 80 West Statesboro, GA 30458. Families can also apply online via our online meal application.
What efforts are being made to keep meal prices affordable?
The school nutrition program continuously looks for ways to control costs, such as formal bid pricing agreements, applying for grants, and optimizing operations to improve efficiency.
How can parents provide feedback or voice concerns about meal prices?
Parents can contact the School Nutrition Services Department, attend school board meetings, or reach out to our department by email (food@bullochschools.org) to provide feedback about meal prices.
Is there any assistance available for families who may be struggling due to the price increase?
Families are encouraged to apply for the free and reduced-price meal program. Additionally, the school may have local resources or partnerships to assist families in need.