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East Valley School District

To empower and inspire all in the pursuit of excellence.

CEP Meals at No Cost Offer vs Serve

CEP Meals at No Cost Offer vs Serve

  • East Valley School District proudly participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federal meal program that provides one free breakfast and one free lunch daily to every enrolled student, regardless of income.

    This program is made possible through the USDA’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP), and helps reduce food insecurity while ensuring all students are well-nourished and ready to learn.

    • No application required
    • No meal charges for eligible breakfasts and lunches
    • Available through June 2029

  • To comply with federal nutrition regulations, all meals must follow the Offer vs Serve (OVS) meal pattern. OVS allows students to decline certain components of the meal, while still receiving a complete, reimbursable meal.

    The goal of OVS is to:

    • Reduce food waste
    • Give students choices
    • Ensure meals meet nutrition requirements

    What is a Complete Lunch under OVS?

     

    Students must select at least 3 of the 5 required meal components, in the planned serving sizes:

    1. Meat/Meat Alternate
    2. Grains
    3. Fruits
    4. Vegetables
    5. Milk

    Important: One of the components must include at least ½ cup of fruit and/or vegetables to count as a complete lunch.

    Students are not required to take milk.

    If a student’s tray does not meet OVS requirements, our staff will kindly assist them in selecting the correct items.

    Only complete meals are free. Incomplete meals will be charged.

     

    What is a Complete Breakfast under OVS?

    Students must select at least 3 of the 4 breakfast items offered, and one item must include ½ cup of fruit or juice.

    Breakfast menu items typically include:

    1. Grain item or entrée (e.g., muffin, cereal, cinnamon bun)
    2. Fruit or juice
    3. Milk
    4. Additional item or side

    Example: A cinnamon bun (counts as 2 items) and a juice (½ cup fruit) = a complete breakfast.

    As with lunch, staff will help students complete their meals if needed.

    Only complete breakfasts are free. Incomplete meals will be charged.

  • CEP covers one complete breakfast and one complete lunch per student per day. Additional items must be purchased.

    Item Charge
    Second Breakfast or Lunch Student must pay
    Extra Entrée (e.g., pizza slice only) Student must pay
       

    Please remind students: a single entrée (like just pizza) is not a complete meal and will be charged accordingly.

    • Only complete meals following OVS guidelines are free under CEP.
    • Students may decline some components, but ½ cup of fruit or vegetable is required for all reimbursable meals.
    • Additional food or second meals are not covered by CEP and must be paid for at the time of service.