Cheatham County Families:
Over the past several days, we have heard the questions, concerns, and feedback regarding the recent changes to our school meal prices. We understand that any increase in the cost of meals impacts our families, and we appreciate the community's willingness to ask questions and seek a better understanding of the decision.
Because there has been considerable discussion on social media, we want to provide clear and accurate information about how school meal prices are determined and explain the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) — the program that allows all students in eligible schools to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. We hope this information helps clarify why these decisions are made and the factors that influence whether a school or district is able to participate in the program.
Our goal has always been to provide healthy, affordable meals for our students while being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to our district. We believe that sharing the facts behind this process is the best way to answer questions and keep our community informed.
Our School Nutrition Program is required to be self-sustaining, meaning the program must operate using meal reimbursements and meal sales. While we have worked hard to keep prices stable, we have not increased meal prices in four years. Rising food, labor, and operating costs have made a price adjustment necessary to maintain the program's financial health.
One of the most important ways families can help support our meal program is by completing a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application. The State of Tennessee uses information collected through these applications to determine eligibility and funding opportunities for districts. Even families who are unsure whether they qualify are encouraged to apply, as this data plays a significant role in supporting student nutrition programs.
Each year, our district evaluates whether we qualify for the federal CEP program. The USDA generally recommends districts have an identified student percentage of approximately 65% or higher to be financially sustainable under CEP. Currently, our district's CEP rate is 27.4%, and no school in our district is above 50%. According to the USDA, participation in CEP would not be financially sustainable for our nutrition program at this time.
Many families who may qualify for meal benefits do not complete an application. Increasing the number of completed applications could improve our district's CEP percentage and potentially help our schools meet eligibility thresholds in the future. We encourage all families to review the income guidelines and apply if they qualify. For example, eligibility is based on household size and income, and many working families are surprised to learn they may qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Eligible for Free Meals
• The household receives SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or Families First benefits.
• The child is a foster child under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court.
• The child participates in the school's Head Start program.
• The child is identified as homeless, runaway, or migrant.
Eligible Based on Household Income
• Children may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if the household's income is at or below the limits established in the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
• Eligibility depends on the household size and total income compared with the federal income limits shown in the program's income chart.
• Family of 1: Annual household income up to $29,526 may qualify for reduced-price meals.
• Family of 2: Annual household income up to $40,034 may qualify for reduced-price meals.
• Family of 3: Annual household income up to $50,542 may qualify for reduced-price meals.
• Family of 4: Annual household income up to $61,050 may qualify for reduced-price meals.
In Cheatham County, no child is ever denied a meal because of an inability to pay. Additionally, student meal benefit status is kept strictly confidential. All students enter an identification number on a keypad during meal service, creating a uniform process that prevents others from knowing whether a student receives free, reduced-price, or paid meals.
If your family needs assistance completing a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application, our school staff will be happy to help. We are committed to working with families to ensure applications are completed accurately and submitted on time.
Additional information about eligibility requirements and application procedures can be found on the Cheatham County School District website at https://bit.ly/3RyALIX.
We are also grateful for the generosity of our community. Throughout the year, individuals and local businesses donate funds to help families with outstanding meal balances.
To address another concern that we have heard about is our summer meal giveaway, these meals are provided through a USDA-funded summer feeding program at no cost to the district. The program has been supported by dedicated volunteers, including high school students and school employees, who have generously given their time to help distribute meals to children in our community.
We recognize that any increase in expenses can be difficult for families, and we appreciate your understanding. By completing the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application and encouraging others to do the same, families can help strengthen our School Nutrition program and increase our district's opportunities for future funding and program eligibility.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools.
Cheatham County Schools