ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Public Schools will once again provide students will free meals during the 2024-25 school year.
The district is able to ensure all students have access to nutritious meals that support their health and academic success through the Community Eligibility Provision.
Families do not need to fill out any forms or applications to qualify for the free meals, unless their child is enrolled at one of the three new schools opening this year — Atwater Bay Elementary, Luminary Middle and Innovation High.
School officials said the new schools do not yet have the student household data necessary to gain CEP status.
The district is asking families attending one of the three new schools to fill out the Meals Benefits Application and qualify for the federal funds used to subsidize the meal program.
To apply, parents can visit myschoolapps.ocps.net or visit your school’s website.
“Our goal is to ensure that no child goes hungry and that all students have the nutrition they need to succeed,” said Mark Watson, OCPS Food and Nutrition Services senior director. “By participating in the CEP program, we are taking a significant step toward improving the well-being of our students and removing any barriers to their academic success.”
According to OCPS, benefits of the program include:
Nutritional support: Every student will have access to balanced and healthy meals, which are essential for their physical and cognitive development.
Increased participation: With the elimination of meal fees, more students are likely to participate in the school meal program, leading to higher overall student well-being.
Reduced stigma: Universal free meals remove the stigma associated with free or reduced-price meal programs, fostering a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
Administrative efficiency: Schools can streamline their operations, focusing more on serving nutritious meals and less on managing meal applications and payments.
For more information about the Meals Benefits Application, contact the FNS Meal Benefits Team at 407-858-3110 or email Meal.Applications@ocps.net.