Six Liverpool CSD Schools Receive Community Eligibility Provision Grant

The Liverpool Central School District Food Service Program is pleased to announce that Chestnut Hill Elementary, Chestnut Hill Middle, Donlin Drive Elementary, Liverpool Elementary, Liverpool Middle and Long Branch Elementary will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) grant program during the 2022-2023 school year.

Beginning the first day of school (September 8), every student enrolled at those six schools will receive free breakfast and lunch each school day regardless of the family’s household income. Although milk is free with a full meal, a la carte milk (a milk that a student wishes to take without getting a school meal) will cost 70 cents.

As part of the program, families at these six schools will be asked to complete a CEP Household Income Eligibility Form. If a family has students attending LCSD schools other than those six schools, they also will need to complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application for the 2022-2023 school year.

CHE, CHM, DDE, LE, LMS and LBE are the only LCSD schools participating in the CEP Program this year.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact the Food Service Department at 315-622-7172.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the CEP Program?

A: The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is an alternative way to serve universal free breakfast and lunch to all students in schools. It is part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. LCSD participates in this program each year.

Q: Why are those six schools the only ones participating in the CEP Program?

A: Those six schools are eligible because they have an Identified Student Percentage of 40 percent or higher according to building level data. An Identified Student refers to any student that is certified for free meals by any means other than the submission of individual paper applications, such as SNAP and Medicaid.

Q: What are the advantages of participation?

A: In addition to all students receiving free breakfast and lunch, participation will remove the stigma that can be associated with being eligible for free and reduced meals as well as improve nutrition to students at risk. In addition, many working families on the cusp of receiving free and reduced meals will no longer have to worry about paying for their child(ren)’s school meals.

Q: What impact does this program have on school taxes?

A: There is no impact on school taxes. The LCSD Food Service Department’s budget is self-sustaining and separate from the annual school budget voted on by taxpayers each year.

Q: What if I have questions about the forms I need to fill out for my students?

A: Please contact the Food Service Department at 315-622-7172. They will be able to assist you with any questions or paperwork.