There are big changes happening with school meals for the 2022-23 school year that are important for you to understand.

As we continue to return to ‘normal,’ the USDA is no longer able to extend the ‘free meals for all’ waiver we have appreciated the last two school years.

However, our state recently passed a new bill that eases the transition, called the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP for short. CEP is a free meal service option for schools and school districts who have a 40 percent or higher number of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Everett Public Schools worked hard to group the largest number of schools possible that kept the average percentage above the program threshold and because of this, we are thrilled to qualify 18 of our schools for this program. See which schools qualify for CEP.

This means that breakfast and lunches are free to all students at these schools, regardless of free and reduced lunch qualifications.

Families at these schools will fill out a household income report (which was emailed directly to those school families on August 9), in place of the free and reduced lunch application. This report is important to provide students access to free waivers and other services.

The remaining nine schools who do not qualify for CEP will return to a paid meal program. Applications for free and reduced meals are online.

Another piece of good news is that any student in grades K-12 who qualifies for reduced lunch at these nine schools will receive their meal for free. This was previously only available through grade 3. Essentially, there is no longer a “reduced” lunch category as all free and reduced meals are available at no charge.

We are so excited to be able to use this new program to offer free meals to the students in our district who may need some extra support and to all of our students, no matter where they learn, we will continue to offer nutritious and delicious meals that include seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, scratch-made whole grain foods and lean proteins, with vegetarian and gluten free options too.

There has never been a better time to eat school meals. We look forward to serving you soon.

Department Contact Information:

 

Adam Pazder, MS, RDN, CD, Director, Food & Nutrition

Special Diets, Financial

425-385-4380

 

Joanna Peeler, Supervisor

Menus, North End Schools

425-385-4384

 

Shelly Mackie, Supervisor

Catering, South End Schools

425-385-4383

 

Hope Walker, Administrative Assistant

Free & Reduced Meal application questions 

425-385-4381

 

Ciera Briggs, Administrative Assistant

Employment questions 

425-385-4382

 

 

  

 

Fax: 425-385-4249