As a district, Galva CUSD is proud to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federal program that allows us to offer free breakfast and lunch to every student who wants one. This program helps ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals during the school day.
Recently, we’ve received questions from families about why some students are still being charged for meals. We want to clarify how the program works and, most importantly, what a student must take for a meal to count as free.
What Is a “Full” Free Meal?
While meals are free under CEP, the definition of a qualifying meal is set by the federal government. In order for breakfast or lunch to be free, a student must take a complete meal. If they choose not to, the school is required to charge a la carte prices.
Lunch a la carte charge: $3.50
Breakfast a la carte charge: $1.50
What Makes Up a Free Lunch?
At lunch, students are offered five food components each day:
1 entrée
Vegetables (at least one, up to three)
Fruit (1–2 servings)
Milk
To count as a free lunch, students must take at least 3 of the 5 items offered, and one of those items must be an entrée.
What Counts as an Entrée?
Each day, students may choose one entrée from the options available. Entrées include:
The hot item listed on the lunch menu
A sandwich
A salad
Cheese and crackers
If a student chooses more than one entrée, they will be charged $1.85 for each additional entrée, even if they take all other required items.
Examples to Help Clarify
If a student takes the hot entrée, a sandwich, and cheese and crackers, along with vegetables and fruit, they will be charged $3.70 for the extra entrées.
If a student takes only a sandwich and an apple, they will be charged $3.50 because they did not take a full lunch.
How Families Can Help Prevent Charges
Our cafeteria staff regularly remind students what they need to take for a meal to count as free and may encourage them to add a fruit or vegetable. However, staff cannot force a student to place items on their tray.
The best way to avoid unexpected charges is to talk with your child about:
What makes a complete, free meal
The importance of selecting the required number of items
We appreciate your partnership in helping students make informed choices so they can enjoy the full benefit of our free meal program. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office or food service department.