Community Eligibility Provision

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a federal meal service option under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program. It allows schools and school districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no charge to all enrolled students without collecting household income applications.

Portland Public School students* are eligible to receive one free complete breakfast and one free complete lunch each school day. Second meals and individual milk purchases are not allowed.

*Please contact Community-Based Organization sites and Charter Schools directly as meal availability vary by site.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is a complete meal?
A: A meal that contains all of the required components. 

Q: Is milk free?
A: Students cannot purchase individual milks. One milk is provided at no cost when it is included with a complete meal.

Q: What if my student is still hungry?
A: Students can access the sharing table and are welcome to additional items from the salad bar during their lunch period.

Q: Can a student still get a school meal if they brought a meal from home?
A: Yes, students can receive a complete breakfast or lunch each school day regardless of what they brought from home.