MURFREESBORO, TN — Murfreesboro City Schools has announced its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. For the 2025–2026 school year, the district will continue participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), allowing all enrolled students to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost and without submitting a meal application.

The CEP is a key component of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, designed to help schools in qualifying communities provide meals to students free of charge. Under the program, school systems serving higher numbers of low-income families can eliminate traditional meal applications while ensuring that all students have access to nutritious meals each school day.

District officials say the program simplifies the process for families and allows school nutrition staff to focus more on meal preparation and service. The initiative also reduces the time students spend waiting in cafeteria lines, giving them more time to eat before returning to class.

Children need healthy meals to learn, and Murfreesboro City Schools will continue to provide breakfast and lunch daily that meet United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition guidelines. School leaders encourage all students to take advantage of the program and participate in school meals.

The district also emphasized that in the operation of child nutrition programs, no child will be discriminated against because of race, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability.

Parents or guardians seeking additional information about the meal program can contact Jaclyn Saunders, Child Nutrition Program Supervisor, at 615-893-2313, extension 10043.