All kids to get free meals at Richmond County schools this year

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Every student in the Richmond County School System will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge when the 2024-2025 school year starts next week.

It’s happening under the “community eligibility provision” of the federal school meal program.

That means when other data shows a high percentage of students would qualify for free meals, the federal government drops the application process and pays to feed all students.

Normally that threshold is 40% of students qualifying, but that has changed to 25%.

As a result, Richmond County expanded the community elegibility provision by three schools for the school year, bringing the total number of participating schools and programs to 54.

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Meanwhile, the district will focus on incorporating locally grown foods into its menus and educating students on making informed food choices.

“When a child’s nutritional needs are met, the child is more attentive in class, has better attendance, and has fewer disciplinary problems,” said Cathy Johnson, nutrition services director for the district.

She said families with tight food budgets can rest assured that their child is getting two nutritious meals at school.

“When you’re struggling already to pay bills, to buy school supplies, then it’s time to decide what’s more important feeding your child or keeping the lights on. That’s a huge, huge difference,” said Johnson.

She noted that the community eligibility program eliminates the stigma of singling out kids why are eligible for free meals.

“We have recertified for our Community Eligibility Provision. And this year, we are able to bring every school and every student under that umbrella meaning that every child eats breakfast and lunch at no cost,” said Johnson.

And they’re serving it up in new and creative ways.

“We are really working on kind of creating this K-12 culinary culture here. We’re bringing in chefs to train with our managers and our staff and all,” said Johnson.

It’s accomplishing two goals — peace of mind about your child in the classroom and your finances.

“You’re talking about almost a $600 savings every year for a parent that has a child that receives meals and we’re having to pay the paid cost. If you have multiple children, three children, you’re talking about almost you know $1,800,” said Johnson.

It’s all while setting your child up for more academic success.

“Providing breakfast and providing lunch is ensuring that not only that the students are going to do better, but that they’re going to come to school, that there’s going to be less issues of absenteeism, tardiness, less issues of discipline problems,” said Johnson.

And when it comes to creative options, that will include an Asian cuisine bowl made with locally grown produce, which is one of the many items on the menu this year.

School starts Monday for Richmond County elementary schools and Tuesday for all other schools.

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