Studies have shown that schools currently offering free meals have increased attendance rates, reduced suspensions, better health outcomes and improved test scores among marginalized student groups. The program also means less work for parents and staff.
there was $19.2 million in unpaid school meal debt this year, with individual districts reporting as much as $1.7 million in debt.
“CEP will allow [child nutrition] staff to focus on their primary role, which is to feed kids,” said Tonya Grier, the CNP director at Dothan City, a district that recently decided to adopt CEP for all of its schools. “The time used dealing with money and tracking students who owe funds will be significantly reduced.”
Feeding Alabama, an organization that operates a network of food banks throughout the state, said more people are looking for help putting food on the table. Officials from the state department of education have been conducting trainings with local districts on how to enroll in CEP and are trying to raise awareness about the program.
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