Free Lunch Program Expanding to 82 Schools in 2023-24
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a school meal funding option from USDA that enables a school to provide free meals to all students, without the necessity of completing applications for individual eligibility. CEP status is determined by the percentage of students from households receiving public benefits.
This year, CEP in South Carolina has expanded to include students who receive Medicaid benefits, which will enable 82 GCS schools to qualify for the 2023-24 school year. This is a significant increase from the 21 GCS locations that have been CEP schools since 2015. There is a four-year eligibility guarantee, which means the 82 schools may remain in the program at least through the 2026-27 school year.
All GCS schools currently offer free breakfast. For the 2024-25 school year, Mitchell Road Elementary will offer FREE LUNCH to all.