Students at Moreno Valley Unified School District’s (MVUSD) elementary, middle and alternative schools will now have access to free lunch regardless of family income level. This is a part of a new universal meal service option of a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Breakfast will continue to be universally free for all students of MVUSD schools.
The CEP was created by the Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act of 2010, and allows the District to offer the meals at no cost to students without an annual free and reduced-price meal application. A simple LCFF form will still be necessary on an annual basis for funding purposes. High school students eligible for free or reduced lunch pricing will still be required to use the previous application process. The funding for the meals will last for at least four school years.
“Studies continue to show that students with access to quality meals perform better in school,” said Board of Education President Susan Smith. “We know that expanding access to meals will support strong learning and encourage our students to be in school every day.”
“A district-wide theme is equity and by offering free lunches, we are ensuring equal access to meals for all of the elementary, middle and alternative school students we serve,” said Superintendent Dr. Martinrex Kedziora. “It is important that we remove all barriers to education and providing free meals removes a significant barrier to learning for many students.”