2 days ago
Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County schools again offering free breakfast, lunch
Waynesboro Public Schools announced that all students in the division are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch at school this academic year.
"No further action is required of parents," the announcement said. "Students will be able to participate in this free meal program without having to submit a meal application or pay for meals."
Students will be charged for extra items such as drinks, snacks and ice cream, according to Waynesboro Public Schools.
Both Staunton City Schools and Augusta County Public Schools will also offer free meals this year.
"We will continue to offer free lunch and breakfast under Community Eligibility Provision," said Amanda Warren, director of school nutrition for Staunton City Schools.
The Community Eligibility Provision is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas, according to the USDA. The program allows the nation's highest poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications.
The USDA said that schools that adopt the program are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
"Breakfast and lunch became free for all students in SCS when we qualified for the CEP in 2020, and it's been that way ever since," said Ruth Jones Turner, Staunton City Schools' director of strategic planning and public relations.
Augusta County is also under the Community Eligibility Provision and will serve free breakfast and lunch, said John Childs, executive director of communication and ddministrative services for the division.
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Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta to offer free school breakfast, lunch
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