BRENHAM ISD STUDENTS TO RECEIVE FREE MEALS THROUGH COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROVISION PROGRAM

  

The Brenham School Board on Monday voted unanimously to proceed with a federal program that allows all students in eligible school districts to receive free breakfasts and lunches regardless of household income.

Brenham ISD qualifies to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program across all campuses, beginning with the 2025-26 school year.  The program does not require families to fill out free or reduced-price meal applications, instead allowing that socioeconomic data to be collected as part of the annual enrollment process.

Child Nutrition Director Kasandra Davis said the CEP program will help families save hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars each year on meal costs, while also letting the district avoid having to spend local funds to pay for unpaid meal debt and value meal service. 

Davis said at the end of the school year, between value meals and the negative meal balances, the district had to cover roughly $36,000.  Board President Jared Krenek said that money can now go back into the general fund to cover other needs, calling this “a no-brainer” and “a great opportunity for the district.” 

Board Vice President Bonnie Brinkmeyer said this is “a big way to save money” for parents and should also encourage students to try out school meals.  Trustee Archer Archer said he is “super excited” to get this program started and thanked Trustee Kyle Hafner, who was not at the meeting, for his research on this item. 

The CEP program operates through a federal reimbursement structure based on the district’s Identified Student Percentage and is expected to cover all meal costs through federal funds.  Existing district processes will be used to support implementation and data collection.  Participation will last for four years in accordance with guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, unless there are major changes to eligibility criteria or federal requirements.

The vote followed recognition for Davis and the Child Nutrition Department earlier in the meeting.  Davis was recently honored as the 2025 School Nutrition Association Texas Director of the Year.  The child nutrition team also won first place in the Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day contest, recognizing creative approaches in celebrating Texas-grown produce.  Additionally, it earned the Cream of the Crop Award, the highest tier in the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Farm Fresh Challenge, for distinguished efforts in local sourcing, agricultural education and community outreach.

The team was also awarded four national honors from the Healthy Meals Incentive Initiative and Action for Healthy Kids: the Rural Breakfast Trailblazers Award, Rural Lunch Trailblazers Award, Innovation in Nutrition Education Award, and Innovation in Preparation for School Meals Award.