Students Eat Free in Franklin and Hart County Schools in 2024-2025 School Year

A reminder for parents, your student will be able to eat free breakfasts and lunches at school this year at both Franklin and Hart County schools.

In May, Franklin County School Superintendent Melanie Burton Brown announced that all students will be able to eat breakfast and lunch at school for free.

Another benefit for school staff is the elimination of bookkeeping of those students who have paid for their lunch or owe money.

In June, the Hart County Charter System announced it is also participating in a Free Breakfast and Lunch program for the 2024-2025 school year.

All students enrolled in Hart County Charter schools may participate in the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program at no cost.

Household applications are not required to receive meals.

Breakfast and lunch menus, as well as other forms and information, can be found on the Hart County Charter School District’s website at www.hart.k12.ga.us.

The free breakfast and lunch program for all students falls under the USDA’s CEP program or Community Eligibility Provision.

According to the USDA’s website, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a non-pricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas.

CEP allows the nation’s highest poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications.

Instead, schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).