All Kendall elementary students now eligible for free breakfast and lunch

KENDALL – The school district announced today that all student in the Kendall Elementary School are eligible for free breakfast and lunch every school day during the 2023-34 school year.

Kendall Elementary School was approved for the Community Eligibility Provision, a program funded by a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and New York State that allows schools in low-income areas to provide free breakfast and lunch to students.

“As a district, we are excited to provide this opportunity to our youngest learners,” said district superintendent Nick Picardo. “This goes into effect immediately.”

Based on the eligibility requirements set by CEP, only the elementary school meets the criteria for the 2023-24 school year, he said.

To qualify for the program, a school must have at least 40 percent of students in households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid.

With the CEP program, students can receive the meals at no cost, and the meals are not tracked by fee category – free, reduced-price and paid.