Rockdale County Public Schools to provide all students free meals for 2026-2027 school year

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—All students in Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch for free during the 2026-2027 school year. The meals will be provided again this year under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), officials announced July 22. 

Families no longer need to submit a Free/Reduced Meals application. CEP is a National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) meal service option that allows schools and districts in high poverty areas to offer meals at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. 

Rockdale will not collect free/reduced meal applications. Students will continue to enter their student numbers in the cafeteria to receive their meals, and all meals must meet the federal requirements for reimbursable meals.

Meals also are available for students enrolled in virtual learning and parents of students enrolled in virtual learning may pick up meals from their student’s home school.

While school meals will be at no cost, students will be allowed to buy additional à la carte items or supplemental snack items such as juice, ice cream or other treats. Families may continue to use the My School Bucks app to pay for these items. Students will not be allowed to charge à la carte or supplemental snack items. 

For more details, visit www.rockdaleschools.org/freemeals.

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