HERMITAGE, Ark. – All students at Hermitage Elementary and Hermitage High School will continue receiving free breakfast and lunch through the 2028-2029 school year, following an announcement by the Hermitage School District that it will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for four additional years.
According to a press release issued by the district on August 4, 2024, “We are pleased to announce that the district will participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) during the 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029 school years.”
Under CEP, “school districts and schools can choose to participate and provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to all students.” The program is part of a federal initiative funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The release confirmed that “providing meals to students, regardless of eligibility category, at NO CHARGE for all students” will apply to both Hermitage Elementary and Hermitage High School.
The program eliminates the need for families to complete free or reduced-price meal applications, offering universal access to meals that support student health and learning. Adult meals are not included in the program and will remain at standard pricing.
For more details, families are encouraged to contact the district’s administrative office.
