School breakfast and lunch will soon be free for all Avon students after a move by the United States Department of Agriculture to broaden access to a federal program that allows eligible districts to offer school meals at no charge to students.
On Sept. 26, USDA announced a new rule making it easier for districts to qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision to offer free meals to all students. Previously, schools could do this only if 40 percent of students were financially needy based on a federal formula. That threshold percentage has been lowered to 25 percent.
Starting Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, all students enrolled at Avon will automatically receive school breakfast and lunch at no cost. Parents and guardians don’t need to take any action in order for their students to qualify.
We expect the vast majority, if not all, our district's increased food costs to be fully reimbursed either by the federal government or New York State, which appropriated more than $134 million for schools that participate in the federal CEP program in its 2023-24 budget.
Expanding student access to school meals took on renewed importance at the end of the 2021-22 school year when a federal policy that ensured all students had access to free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic expired.
The New York State School Boards Association led a virtual advocacy campaign on the issue, urging Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature to support a universal, statewide school meals program.
While the $134 million lawmakers earmarked for schools that participate in the CEP program in the latest state budget falls short of that goal, it does mark a significant increase in school meal funding that will improve access for thousands of students across the state - including right here in Avon.
“I applaud this move by USDA and am grateful to NYSSBA for its tireless leadership on such an important issue,” said Superintendent Ryan Pacatte, who participated in the association’s advocacy campaign last year. “The last thing our students should be thinking about during the school day is where their next meal is going to come from. By taking that worry out of the equation, we’re putting them in the best possible position to learn.”
Questions about the change can be directed to our district’s Food Service Manager Tammy Hale at (585) 226-2455, ext. 1735 or thale@avoncsd.org.