Free School Lunch For Most, But Some Need to Apply

GAINESVILLE ‒ Students at 32 Alachua County schools, including several charter schools, will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2025–26 school year under the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), district officials announced this week. However, families at 19 other schools not designated as CEP sites will need to submit an application and meet income guidelines to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Schools Offering Free Meals Under CEP

The following schools have been designated CEP sites for the 2025–26 school year:

1. Quinn Jones, Alachua Elementary, Archer Elementary, Bishop Middle, Boulware (charter), Caring and Sharing Learning School (charter), Duval Early Learning Academy, Eastside High, Einstein School (charter), Foster Elementary, Glen Springs Elementary, Hawthorne Middle/High, Idylwild Elementary, Irby Elementary, Lake Forest Elementary, Lincoln Middle, Littlewood Elementary, Mebane Middle, Metcalfe Elementary, Newberry Elementary, North Central Florida Public Charter, Norton Elementary, One Room School House (charter), Parker Elementary, Rawlings Elementary, Resilience Charter, Shell Elementary, Sidney Lanier, SIATech (charter), Terwilliger Elementary, Westwood Middle and Williams Elementary.

Application Required at Non-CEP Schools

Families whose children attend schools not designated as CEP sites must apply for free or reduced-price meals and meet federal income guidelines.

The 19 schools requiring applications are:

Buchholz High, Chiles Elementary, Expressions Learning Arts Academy (charter), Fort Clarke Middle, Gainesville High, Healthy Learning Academy (charter), Hidden Oak Elementary, High Springs Community School, Kanapaha Middle, Meadowbrook Elementary, Micanopy Academy (charter), Newberry High, Oak View Middle, Professional Academies Magnet @ Loften High, PK Yonge Developmental Research School, Santa Fe High, Santa Fe College Academy of Science and Technology, Talbot Elementary and Wiles Elementary.

How Schools Qualify for CEP

Under federal guidelines, schools may qualify for CEP if at least 40 percent of students are considered “identified students” — those who qualify for free meals without an application because they are enrolled in assistance programs such as SNAP or TANF, are in foster care, homeless, migrant, or participating in Head Start.

Eligibility is calculated annually based on data available by April 1. Schools may be approved individually, grouped with others, or approved as part of a districtwide designation. Schools that do not meet the minimum threshold or cannot financially sustain CEP must continue using the traditional application process for free and reduced-price meals.

Meal Prices for 2025–26

Meal prices for students who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals are:

• Reduced price: 30 cents for breakfast, 40 cents for lunch
• Full price: $1.50 for breakfast, $2.50 for lunch (elementary), and $2.75 for lunch (secondary)

How to Apply

Families can apply for meal benefits online and find more information at www.yourchoicefresh.com. Those needing assistance can contact the district’s Food and Nutrition Services department at (352) 955-7539, ext. 1569.

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