06/18/2025
Subject: CEP Notification Letter and Frequently Asked Questions
Date: June 16, 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are grateful for the strong support from families and community partners who help make sure no child goes hungry in our schools.
As we look ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, we will return to using the Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application to determine eligibility for student meals.
Here is why we are making this change:
1. Sustainability and Funding Uncertainty: While CEP expanded access to meals, it placed a financial strain on the division. At the same time, future federal funding for CEP is uncertain, making it difficult to plan long-term. Returning to eligibility-based applications ensures we can maintain high-quality services for students across the division.
2. Food Waste: Many students were not consuming all components of a full meal. Reducing waste allows us to direct more resources toward food quality and nutrition.
3. Meal Quality: Parents, students, and staff have shared that meals can and should be better. We are happy to announce that GCPS will participate in the VDOE Virginia Food for Virginia Kids, giving our schools access to fresh, locally sourced ingredients and meals prepared from scratch, including student-inspired recipes and menu ideas.
4. Family Support: Families who qualify will continue to receive free or reduced-price meals. This change allows us to better serve students who need meal assistance, while improving services for all.
Our Shared Commitment
We are proud to be part of a community that consistently steps up to care for students. This summer, more than 500 families registered for our meal distribution program. Local churches support the backpack food initiative, and community organizations help pay off student meal balances, ensuring no child goes without. With your support, this shared commitment will continue. To ensure students receive the support they need and to help our schools qualify for vital state and federal resources we are asking every family to complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application, even if your child doesn’t typically eat school meals.
Why it matters:
The percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals also determines whether schools are eligible for:
- Additional instructional funding
- Reading intervention programs
- State and federal support for military-connected students
- Grants for technology, tutoring, and student services
What does it mean to qualify?
According to USDA guidelines:
- Free Meals: Families earning at or below 130% of the federal poverty level (e.g., under $41,795/year for a family of four)
- Reduced-Price Meals: Families earning between 130% and 185% of the poverty level (e.g., up to $59,478/year for a family of four)
The application is private, simple to complete, and available online at: https://www2.myschoolapps.com/ (but that will not open up until August 15).
Paper applications are also available at every school.
All forms must be submitted by October 1, 2025.
Our Central Food Service Team is here to support you if you have questions or need help completing the form.
Thank you for working with us to make sure every student is cared for, nourished, and given the tools they need to succeed.
Warm regards,
Dr. Anthony Vladu
Superintendent of Schools
Gloucester County Public Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
And why we’re returning to the traditional Free & Reduced-Price meal program
Q: What is CEP?
A: The Community Eligibility Provision is a federal program that allows eligible schools to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students without collecting household meal applications.
Q: How did CEP roll out in GCPS?
A: We began CEP at five schools in 2022 and expanded to all eight schools by 2024, ensuring every student had access to meals.
Q: Why is GCPS moving away from CEP?
A: There are four main reasons:
- Financial sustainability and federal funding uncertainty. CEP strains our budget, and with proposals to raise the eligibility significantly—possibly to 60 percent—many schools could lose access.
- Food waste. Serving all students led to high amounts of uneaten food, which is wasteful and costly.
- Meal quality and student voice. Returning to eligibility allows us to participate in the VDOE Virginia Food for Virginia Kids, giving our schools access to fresh, locally sourced ingredients and meals prepared from scratch, including student-inspired recipes and menu ideas.- Focused assistance. This ensures that students who need meal assistance receive it directly.
Q: What federal changes could make schools ineligible for CEP?
A: A federal proposal would raise the CEP eligibility threshold from 25 percent to 60 percent of 'identified' students (those in SNAP, TANF, Medicaid). This change could make more than 24,000 schools—impacting over 12 million students—ineligible for the program.
Q: Are other Virginia districts also ending CEP?
A: Yes. Rockingham County Public Schools ended CEP across all 23 schools for the 2025–26 year. A few other Virginia districts are reviewing CEP in light of federal funding uncertainties, though no formal announcements have been made.
Q: What will replace CEP at GCPS?
A: We’ll implement the Free & Reduced-Price Meals Program, which relies on household applications. Qualifying students will still receive meals for free or at a reduced price.
Q: Why should every family complete the application?
A: It matters for more than meals. The percentage of qualifying students helps GCPS secure:
- Instructional and reading intervention funding
- Support for military-connected students
- Grants for technology, tutoring, and enrichment programs
Your application supports our entire school community.
Q: Who qualifies for free or reduced-price meals?
A: Based on USDA guidelines for a family of four:
- Free meals: Income ≤ 130% of federal poverty level (≈ $41,795/year)
- Reduced-price meals: Income between 130–185% (≈ ≤ $59,478/year)
Q: How and when can we apply?
A: Online at: https://www2.myschoolapps.com/ (but that will not open up until August 15).
Paper forms: Available at school offices
Deadline: October 1, 2025
You may update the application anytime if your family's situation changes.
Q: Will my information be kept confidential?
A: Yes, students enter a lunch number into the system. It is also state and federal law to protect the confidentiality of free and reduced lunch status.