RAPIDES PARISH, La. (UrbanCast: 6/15/2026) — Rapides Parish Public Schools announced that all enrolled students will receive free breakfast and lunch through the district’s participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
The program eliminates the need for meal benefit applications and ensures students have access to daily meals at no cost.
“With CEP in place again this year, students can focus on what really matters: learning and growing. This program makes sure our students are starting the day ready,” Superintendent Jeff Powell said.
The district said all enrolled students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch. The program covers standard school meals.
While families do not need to complete meal applications, district officials are asking households to complete an Income Household Survey. The survey helps maintain critical state and federal funding that supports educational programs and services.
Director of Food and Nutrition Services Erma Davis said survey participation remains essential because the information determines eligibility for several funding streams.
Families only need to complete one survey per household.
The survey will be available online beginning August 3 at www.rpsb.us. Paper copies will also be available during school open houses.
The Community Eligibility Provision is a federal program that allows qualifying school districts to provide free meals to all students without requiring individual household applications.
District leaders said the program helps ensure students have consistent access to nutritious meals throughout the school year.
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