Free and Reduced Meals
Free Meals
We proudly offer breakfast — the most important meal of the day — to all students in grades K–12. To make mornings easier and encourage participation, students may choose a convenient “grab-and-go” option.
Healthy meals fuel strong minds. Through our participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all RYSS students receive nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost every school day.
We are committed to supporting your child’s learning experience by providing fresh, healthy meals that help them stay focused, energized, and ready to succeed.
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
Beginning in the 2017–2018 school year, all Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success (RYSS) campuses (K–12) qualified for participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
CEP is a USDA meal service program designed for schools and districts in low-income areas. Established under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-296), CEP allows high-poverty schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students — without requiring families to complete household meal applications.
Instead of collecting applications, schools are reimbursed through a federal formula based on the percentage of students who participate in other qualifying programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Benefits of CEP
Reduced Administrative Burden
Schools no longer need to collect and verify meal applications, allowing staff to focus more time and energy on serving students.
Increased Student Participation
According to a USDA study, schools participating in the initial pilot states saw a 9.4% increase in breakfast participation and a 5.2% increase in lunch participation.
Expanded Breakfast Options
Without the need to collect fees or categorize meals by payment status, schools can more easily implement alternative service models such as Breakfast in the Classroom and “Grab-and-Go,” further increasing participation.
Stronger Financial Sustainability
Higher participation rates allow districts to benefit from economies of scale and reinvest funds into improving meal quality and providing staff training. CEP also eliminates unpaid meal fees, removing financial strain for families and administrative collection efforts for schools.