Kingsport City Schools

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Community Eligibility Provision Program FAQ

What is the Community Eligibility Provision Program?

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, a provision that allows schools to offer breakfast and lunch at no charge to all students while eliminating the traditional school meal application process. CEP is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA).

Community eligibility enables schools to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students and eliminates the need for schools to collect paper applications by basing reimbursement levels on “identified students.” Identified students are either directly certified based on their household’s participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, or cash assistance), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), those considered homeless, migrant, runaway, Head Start, or foster children. Students enrolled in CEP schools will no longer be required to complete a free and reduced meal application. Every enrolled student will be able to eat both breakfast and lunch free of charge without filling out any forms.
What KCS Schools will participate?
 
Starting Monday, August 5, 2024 all KCS schools will participate. All students enrolled in KCS will automatically qualify for breakfast and lunch at no cost regardless of socioeconomic status and without completing a free or reduced-priced meals application. The items that make up the five food components of the school meal are:
  • One item from the protein group
  • One to two items from the vegetable group
  • One to two items from the fruit group (high school students can select two fruit servings)
  • One item from the bread/grain group
  • One item from the milk group
Students who choose to eat only three or four food components may omit one or two of any of the above items.
 
Will there be a charge for ice cream, a la carte items, or extras?
Yes. There will still be a charge for ice cream, a la carte items, snack items, and extra food items (seconds). Meal prices.
 
Can I still add money to my child's account?
Yes. Families can still upload money to student's accounts for ice cream, a la carte items, snack items, and extra food items (seconds) via LINQConnect.com.
 
My child participates in an Early Childhood Learning Center, are tehy included in CEP?
No. 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. Meal prices.
 
Do KCS Employees and/or visitors still pay for meals?
Yes. Employees can still upload money to their accounts via LINQConnect.com. Meal prices.