Charlotte County, FL (August 9, 2024) 

All Charlotte County Public Schools will offer free breakfast and lunch to all students for the 2024-25 school year. This opportunity, benefiting over 15,000 students, is made possible through the USDA's Community Eligibility Program (CEP).

The CEP allows schools to qualify as a "community" when the percentage of directly certified students meets a specific threshold. Directly certified students are those whose families qualify for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), or who qualify for Medicaid or Head Start. As a result, no meal benefit applications are collected from families at these schools.

To receive federal funds that support the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, specific meal components must be served. Students must select at least three food items, including a half-cup of fruit or vegetables, to qualify for a free meal. If students choose fewer items, they are charged à la carte prices. Students are welcome to supplement their packed lunches with school food, provided one of the selected items is a fruit or vegetable.

“By providing free breakfast and lunch to all our students, we are removing learning barriers and ensuring that every child is well-fed and ready to focus on their education," said Superintendent Mark Vianello.

The Charlotte County Public Schools food and nutrition services department, including Champ's Cafe, operates as a nonprofit, self-funded entity, covering its own costs and returning funds to the district for indirect costs.

Champ's Cafe's mission is to support student success by providing nutritious, high-quality food choices in a safe and customer-friendly environment, encouraging lifelong healthy eating habits.

For more information about Champ's Cafe and the CEP program, please https://www.yourcharlotteschools.net/Domain/5507.