Baldwin County Public Schools has announced a change to its free school meal program for the 2024-2025 school year. All students will now receive free breakfast and lunch, regardless of their family's income.

This change is due to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), part of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. The CEP allows schools in low-income areas to provide free meals to all students without requiring applications.

Erin Miller, the Child Nutrition Program Director, explained that parents no longer need to submit meal applications. "This USDA provision allows all children to eat school meals for free," Miller said. She can be reached at 251-970-4402 or emiller@bcbe.org for more information.

The school district emphasized that meals will follow USDA guidelines for healthy eating. They encourage all students to participate in the program, as good nutrition helps children learn better.

The new policy aims to reduce stigma and ensure all students have access to nutritious meals. It also saves time for both families and school staff by eliminating paperwork and payment processing.

Baldwin County Public Schools stated that no child will face discrimination in the program based on race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.

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