NE Valley Times

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (May 22, 2024) – Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) will offer a new meal service option at four schools next school year that will streamline the process for families to secure no-cost breakfasts and lunches for their students.

Updates to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) portion of the federal National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs will eliminate the need for Hohokam and Yavapai Elementary, Tonalea Middle, and Coronado High School families to apply and qualify their students for free meals based on participation in specific, means-tested government assistance programs. CEP is part of the federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The new program at the four SUSD schools begins in August when school convenes for the 2024-2025 academic year.

“We are thrilled to be able to add the CEP to the list of food service programs we offer,” said SUSD Nutrition Services Director Patti Bilbrey. “Implementing CEP at these four qualifying school sites allows our students to have access to no-charge, high-quality, healthy breakfasts and lunches each and every day of the school year.”

A recent change by the Arizona Department of Education, allowing Medicaid participation to directly certify students, has made it possible for the four schools to now meet the CEP participation threshold.

Based on the new rules, all students at the four schools – approximately 2,000 based on current enrollments – will receive nutritious breakfasts and lunches each school day next school year at no charge.

“We know that kids who aren’t hungry at school learn better,” adds Bilbrey. “Making sure that they aren’t permits them to be full participants in their education. Every student, regardless of their family’s income, deserves a hunger-free education.”

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About Scottsdale Unified School District

With more than 21,000 students in 30 schools, Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 127 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning special education career and technical education and a variety of athletics arts enrichment programs and clubs SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD X: @ScottsdaleUSD Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD LinkedIn YouTube