In an update that might stir concern among some families, Duval County Public Schools has announced that starting with the 2025-26 school year, 37 of its schools will shift back to a policy where only students who apply for free or reduced-price meals, or who are Directly Certified by the State, will receive assistance with meal costs.
Since the pandemic began in March 2020, all Duval County schools have provided free meals to students thanks to extra federal funding. This helped families during tough times. But now, with that funding gone and budgets tightening, the district says it can no longer afford to offer free lunch to every student.
Most of the district's schools will maintain their Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) status, which keeps the lunch line moving at no cost for families with kids in 40 percent of the student population already benefiting from programs like SNAP or Medicaid.
The challenge is for students at 37 schools not in the CEP program. Parents at these schools will need to apply for meal assistance or qualify through Direct Certification. The days of automatic free meals are ending. Applications open in August, and families will have a 30-day grace period or until their eligibility is reviewed for the school year.
Breakfast will still be free for all students through the federal Universal Free Breakfast Program, so one meal is guaranteed. A full list of the 37 affected schools, from Alden Road Exceptional Student Center to Stanton High, is available on the Duval County Public Schools website along with important details about the upcoming changes.
