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    SCHOOL MEAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    What does the CEP update mean for Grand Island Public Schools?

    Having CEP district wide means every student at GIPS will be able to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost during school days.

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    What is CEP?

    The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) provides an alternative approach for offering school meals to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools in low income areas, instead of collecting individual applications for free and reduced price meals.

    CEP is a nationwide option of providing meals that is offered by the USDA and provided by the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).

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    Why is CEP important?

    Food security matters.

    We believe that every student deserves to have access to regular, healthy meals.  And now, thanks to CEP provision, we are able to provide every student in every school breakfast and lunch at no cost every school day.  We are excited for this will certainly boost student wellness, attendance, and learning across our district. 


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    What does “Meals at No Cost” mean for Elementary Schools?

    • Breakfast will be available to all students at no cost at all schools.
    • Lunch will be available to all students at no cost as well at all schools.
    • Elementary students may still be able to purchase EXTRA milk.
    • To cover extra milk, families will still be able to use LINQConnect to track and update balances just like last year.


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    What does “Meals at No Cost” mean for Middle Schools and GISH?

    • Breakfast & Lunch will be available to all students at no cost at all three middle schools and Grand Island Senior High.
    • CEP only covers “fully reimbursable meals” as defined by the USDA.
    • Extra servings and A la carte items will still be available for purchase.
    • To pay for a la carte items, families will still be able to use LINQConnect to deposit funds, track and update balances just like last year.


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    What is a “fully reimbursable meal”?

    A “full reimbursable meal” consists of the following components:

    • Milk
    • Fruit
    • Grain
    • Vegetable
    • Meat or Meat Alternate (yogurt, cheese, etc.)

    Schools are invested in enhancing the nutrition and growth of children so healthy, balanced meals are offered daily.  Students must choose a minimum of three full portions from the list with at least one choice being a full serving of fruit or vegetable.  These guidelines are required by the USDA.

    Middle School and GISH students may purchase additional a la carte items that will be available as well but these items do not count toward the meal requirements. 


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    Will I still be able to access my student’s meals account?

    Yes.  

    • Every family will still have access to their student account through LINQConnect.
    • Families will no longer receive phone calls about negative meal balances.

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    What if I still have funds in my student account on LINQConnect?

    There are three options for families who have funds from the previous school year in their student’s LINQConnect account:

    • Families may leave it in the account for any extra food that the student may want to purchase. 
    • Designate it as a donation.
    • Call or email the Nutrition Services Department to request a refund at 308-385-5900 or lmasat@gips.org. 

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    Do I still need to submit a Free & Reduced Meals application?

    No.


    With CEP, the Free & Reduced Meals process is no longer needed for families.  Breakfast and Lunch will be available to all students at no cost at every GIPS school.

    How do I request a financial support waiver for other things such as band instruments and AP courses?

    The state has provided us with a new form that will be available for qualifying families to request reimbursement for appropriate items (band instruments, ACT, AP courses, etc.).

    We will have those forms available soon.

    If you have questions about the waiver for fees, please reach out to your school social worker directly or call GIPS Student Services at 308.385.5900.

     

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    Does CEP impact local property taxes?

    No.


    The initial funding support for school meals is provided by the GIPS Nutrition Services Fund.  CEP, in turn, provides Federal reimbursement for meals served.  CEP does NOT impact local property taxes. 

     

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    QUESTIONS

    If you have additional questions about CEP or School Meals, please reach out to GIPS Nutrition Services at 308.385.5900 or lmasat@gips.org.