Community Eligibility Expansion: An Important Step Toward Healthy School Meals for All

Since its inception, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) has been instrumental in eliminating stigma surrounding school meal participation, reducing burdens on families and districts, and ensuring that all students have access to healthy school meals. In the 2022-2023 school year, 82% of eligible schools participated in CEP. With USDA’s recent release of the final rule, Community Eligibility Provision: Increasing Options for Schools, even more schools will be eligible to participate in this important program. Join the Food Research & Action Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as we discuss what the rule means for students, schools, and districts across the country.

Speakers include:

• Heather Hopwood, Nutritionist, USDA Food and Nutrition Service
• Michelle Frey, Branch Chief, USDA Food and Nutrition Service
• Erin Kennedy Hysom, Senior Child Nutrition Policy Analyst, FRAC