While students statewide will be able to get a free school breakfast in the coming year, it’s nothing new for the Warren County School District.

Under the recently signed Pennsylvania state budget, $1 billion has been invested to ensure every student in grades kindergarten through 12 can receive breakfast for free. However, under a federal program in place for nearly a decade, some schools and districts already qualified to offer both breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and parents.

Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Eligibility Provision, free meals are available to students in high-poverty areas without having to submit an income eligibility application. Determinations for eligibility in a school or district are based on the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced cost meals based on participation in other means-tested programs, according to the USDA. The program is optional for educational entities and schools and districts must apply to participate.

“The WCSD is a district wide CEP district with all schools participating,” WCSD Director of Business Services Jim Grosch said. “As last year, the district will receive the free reimbursement rate for all breakfast served instead of a portion having to being paid at the paid reimbursement rate.This could bring an additional $139,343 in reimbursement revenue to the district.”

Students in Sheffield, Youngsville and at the Warren Area Elementary Center have been part of the program for five years, according to Grosch. The program began covering the entire district last year.

A district-wide Seamless Summer Option was in place for the 2021-22 school year. The SSO option provides meals for students during summer breaks.