Hillsborough County Public Schools -

Contact:            Tanya Arja or Erin Maloney               
                           Hillsborough County Public Schools 
                           Office of Communications
                           813-272-4060

Tampa, Fl. (July 27, 2022) – A majority of students in Hillsborough County Public Schools are now eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch all year long as part of a federal reimbursement program called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The initiative, which was adopted last month by the School Board, offers meals at no cost to all students at any school where 40% or more of the students are eligible to receive free and reduced lunch due to their family’s economic circumstances.

In total, 174 schools fit the criteria to participate in CEP. This initiative will allow easier access to food for more than 127,000 students within our district, or 84% of the student body. Prior to this program, 66% of students received free and reduced lunch through a federal application process.

“Our Student Nutrition Services staff members work hard to ensure students have access to nutritious meals to fuel their day. This program will help thousands of families who are food insecure while also decreasing paperwork and red tape for parents, schools, and our nutrition staff,” said Shani Hall, General Manager of Student Nutrition Services.

“We listened to families who were worried about losing free lunches as part of the USDA reimbursement program during the pandemic. Our district wants to take the burden off parents by making it easier for students to gain access to healthy meals at school. While we celebrate the convenience, research also shows schools accessing this program report an increase in standardized test scores, attendance improvement, and various mental health benefits,” said Superintendent Addison Davis.