School District to again provide free breakfasts, lunches for students
School District of Lee County students will receive free breakfast and lunch again this year through the district’s participation in the Community Eligibility Program under the National School Lunch/National School Breakfast Programs.
The program is offered to every student in the district’s 82 traditional schools, four special centers and four charter school locations.
“The school district qualifies for the CEP based on the percentage of students directly certified for free meals, typically through programs like SNAP, TANF or Medicaid. Using last year’s Direct Certification data, our district exceeded the 60% threshold for economic need, making us eligible to participate. The federal government provides a formula to determine reimbursement rates for schools participating in CEP, which helps fund our Food and Nutrition Services program,” School District Food and Nutrition Services Director Kandy Messenger said.
The district has participated in the CEP since 2017.
“CEP allows all students to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost, removing the financial barrier to access nutritious meals. This program also eliminates the stigma often associated with free or reduced meal benefits. For many of our students, school meals may be the most reliable source of food they receive each day,” Messenger said. “When students are hungry, it impacts their ability to focus and learn. By providing healthy, balanced meals, we support not only their physical health but also their academic success and classroom behavior – benefiting both students and teachers.”
Students will be introduced to a new four-week rotating menu that follows all federal nutrition guidelines. She said the menu includes fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
“We’re excited to offer several new menu items that we think students will enjoy,” Messenger said. “The focus is on variety, nutrition, and appeal to ensure students are receiving meals they want to eat and that nourish them throughout the day.”
Last year, the district served 5,010,827 breakfasts, 10,731,470 lunches and 730,571 suppers/dinners.
“We are committed to supporting the whole child, and access to nutritious meals plays a critical role in that mission. Our team works hard every day to ensure students are well-fed and ready to learn. We’re proud of the role Food & Nutrition Services plays in supporting student achievement across the district,” Messenger said.
The participating schools include:
Elementary schools:
Allen Park
Amanecer
Bonita Springs
Caloosa
Cape
Colonial
Diplomat
Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton
Edgewood
Edison Park
Fort Myers Beach
Franklin Park
G. Weaver Hipps
Gateway
Gulf
Hancock Creek
Harns Marsh
Hector A. Cafferata Jr.
Heights
J. Colin English
James Stephens
Lehigh
Manatee
Mirror Lakes
Orange River
Orangewood
Patriot
Pelican
Pine Island
Pinewoods
Ray V. Pottorff
Rayma Page
River Hall
San Carlos Park
Skyline
Spring Creek
Sunshine
Tanglewood
Three Oaks
Tice
Tortuga Preserve
Trafalgar
Treeline
Tropic Isles
Villas
Middle schools:
Bonita Springs
Caloosa
Challenger
Cypress Lake
Diplomat
Fort Myers
Gulf
Harns Marsh
Lehigh Acres
Lexington
Mariner
Oak Hammock
Paul Laurence Dunbar
Lemuel Teal
Three Oaks
Trafalgar
Varsity Lakes
K-8:
North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts
The Alva School
The Bayshore School
The Sanibel School
Veterans Park Academy for the Arts
High schools:
Bonita Springs
Cape Coral
Cypress Lake
Dunbar
East Lee
Estero
Fort Myers
Gateway
Ida Baker
Island Coast
Lehigh Senior
Mariner
North Fort Myers
Riverdale
South Fort Myers
Special centers:
Buckingham Exceptional Student Center
Royal Palm
Success Academy
Young Parent Education Program
Charters:
Lee Acceleration Academies
North Nicholas High School
Coronado High School
Island Park High School
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com