little girl poses for photo with school lunch and milk carton

As kids prepare to head back to school for the 2024-2025 school year, Surry County Schools is pleased to announce that it will operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) in all schools (PreK - 12). All students will be able to access breakfast and lunch meals at no cost! This is important as school meal programs play a crucial role in students having the nutrition they need to thrive in and out of the classroom.

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a federal program that allows qualifying schools to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost. Families no longer have to complete a free or reduced-price meal application, and all students get to eat nutritious meals.

With inflation at a 40-year high and food and fuel prices soaring, many families are finding it harder to make ends meet. Luckily, school meal programs can play a big role in filling the gaps. School meals are healthy, and research shows that for many kids, the meals they eat at school are the most nutritionally balanced meals they get all day. They’re also convenient and can save busy parents the work of having to prepare breakfast and lunch each day.

Surry County Schools was proud to offer CEP in elementary and middle schools during the 2023-2024 school year and is thrilled to extend the program to our high school students and families.

For more information, contact Surry County Schools School Nutrition at 336-386-8211.