School lunch program extended to all schools
By Mark Hebert
August 28, 2023 – Every student in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is now eligible for free breakfast and lunch regardless of their family’s income. The Community Eligibility (CE) program has been extended to three more JCPS schools, bringing the total to 147 cafeterias serving every JCPS school.
“We are excited to bring this benefit to all of our students and families,” said Terina Edington, assistant director of Nutrition Services. “Now every JCPS student, in every school, has access to a nutritious breakfast and lunch no matter their financial circumstances.”
The J. Graham Brown School, Lowe Elementary School and duPont Manual High School were the final three school sites to receive approval last week.
“When we were notified that our school was now eligible it felt like we won the lottery,” said Angela Parsons, Brown School principal. “This is a victory for equity and families, many of whom may not qualify for the free lunch program but still struggle to provide their child with a full, nutritious lunch each school day.”
Many students also use a meal account or cash to purchase a la cart items such as extra slices of pizza and qualifying Smart Snacks. Students who bring their lunch from home can also go through the cafeteria line and get a meal at no charge.
Parsons said one of her young students was still hungry after eating her lunch consisting of some blueberries and strawberries. Because the Brown School is now CE program eligible, the student was able to pick up a free meal to supplement the lunch she brought from home.
Having every child in a school eligible also removes any stigma from the student receiving a free meal while a classmate is paying for one.
A school district’s participation in the CE program is based on the number of its students who are directly certified for free or reduced-price meal benefits. More than 65 percent of all JCPS students qualify for the program. JCPS has participated in the CE program for several years and reviews this data annually, adding schools as they have qualified. Working with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), JCPS was able to qualify all its locations this school year.