W.B. Wicker Elementary School

SANFORD, NC – With the start of the 2024-2025 school year comes a major change in the child nutrition program for Lee County Schools. Beginning with the first day of classes every student in Lee County Schools will have the opportunity to eat breakfast and lunch for free each school day.

At their meeting last week, the Lee County Board of Education approved a plan to utilize the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act (HHFKA) from 2010 that allows districts that qualify the ability to serve free meals for students without collecting Free and Reduced Lunch Applications.

“This is a huge commitment for our district to ensure that every student has access to meals during the school day and is prepared to focus on their academic growth,” said Dr. Chris Dossenbach, Superintendent of Lee County Schools. 

Districts and schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed for meals using a formula based on the percentage of students participating in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Last year, the Board of Education approved utilizing CEP at each of the district’s seven traditional elementary schools. For the upcoming school year, expanding CEP to all district schools is expected to come with a $110,000 cost to the district. However, that amount could be less based on how many students take the free meals and can be supplemented by sales of additional entrees, sides, and approved snack items.

“The data is clear. Hungry kids do not perform as well as their peers. This is one obstacle that we can help remove as a community by making sure every child receives the nutrition they need to reach their potential,” noted Dossenbach.

Anyone with questions about CEP and the Child Nutrition Program at Lee County Schools is encouraged to reach out to Amanda Cagle, Director of Child Nutrition. She can be reached at (919) 774-6226 x 7205 or acagle@lee.k12.nc.us.