RCPS announces free meals for all enrolled students for 2024-2025 school year,  DeKalb County School District also offering free meals to majority of its students

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) announced every student in the district will be eligible to receive school meals free of cost for the 2024-2025 school year under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This includes breakfast and lunch. Families no longer need to submit a Free/Reduced Meals application, the district said.

Rockdale students return to school on Tuesday, July 30, and the program will begin immediately.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to offer school meals at no cost to our students and continue to mitigate the risk of food insecurity in our community. This program is a demonstration of our commitment to providing services to support the whole child,” said Rockdale Superintendent Terry Oatts.

The Community Eligibility Provision (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.

Officials in neighboring the DeKalb County School District this week also announced it was approved for the CEP program for the 2024-2025 school year, which means a majority of its students also will be eligible for free meals. DCSD, Georgia’s third-largest system with 138+ schools and centers, will expand from 75 to 105 schools offering free meals under CEP. Students enrolled in DeKalb schools who are not eligible for CEP may apply for the free or reduced lunch program, officials stated.

RCPS Director of School Nutrition Blaine Allen noted the hard work and dedication of School Nutrition employees in making this program possible.

“We know the importance of consistent, balanced nutrition in student learning, health, and achievement. Afterall, a hungry child cannot learn. We are delighted to be able to provide all students with meals free of cost and provide relief for families,” said Allen.

Both, Rockdale and DeKalb school systems, are among a number of metro-Atlanta districts that have been in the news concerning student meal debt.

RCPS alum Chad Fry, a Heritage High Class of 1996 graduate  and the Evolution Automotive Group donated $7,613 in 2024 to pay off all RCPS school meal balances.  Their generosity touched the lives of nearly 1,200 students, district officials said.

Lee May, pastor of Transforming Faith Church in Decatur and former interim CEO of DeKalb County, has said many families don’t qualify for the free or reduced lunch program and students. However, financially, it’s a struggle for them to pay. May’s church raised $7,000 to pay outstanding lunch balances for 817 students at 14 DeKalb schools. Delta Sigma Theta sorority members and Wal-Mart assisted with the campaign.

DeKalb students return to classes on Monday, Aug. 5.

Rockdale 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, RCSD stated.

While school meals will be free, students will be allowed to purchase 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. Meals 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.

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

DeKalb County School District expands free meals program to 105 schools