TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Independent School District will again provide free meals to all students during the 2023-2024 school year.
The district will continue its policy to serve meals to children under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the upcoming school year. All Temple ISD campuses will operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2023-2024 school years to provide breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price and paid student meals. That means no families will have to apply for meal programs and helps reduce the burden on both families and school administrators to ensure students receive nutritious meals during the school year.
“Temple ISD is excited to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, on all campuses, without any need to provide application,” said Dr. Bobby Ott, superintendent of schools for Temple ISD. “Ensuring students’ basic needs are met, such as physical safety and nutrition, go a long way in a student participating in their education process. Supporting the physical health and well-being of our students is an effort that supports families and our overall community. It is our desire to continue this program and searching for even more ways to partner with our parents in Temple ISD.”
With TISD operating under the CEP this year, all students will be offered one breakfast and one lunch at no cost each school day. Additional meals and a la carte items must be purchased using the funds on the student’s account or by paying at the point of sale.
“We are appreciative that the Texas Department of Agriculture offers the CEP program and has approved our application,” Ian Vestal, director of school nutrition for Temple ISD, said. “If your student shows up to school, we are able to provide breakfast and lunch and fulfill those basic needs throughout the school year.”