Free meals coming to Lockhart ISD

Students in the Lockhart Independent School District will be able to eat breakfast and lunch for free beginning in the fall. 

In their meeting Monday night, the LISD Board of Trustees approved a change to its policy for serving meals under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2019-2020 school year. 

Through the federally-funded Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, LISD will be able to provide all students from pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade free breakfasts and lunches. 

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, school districts with a minimum of at least 40 percent of students who are directly certified through other means-tested programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance Program for Needy Families (TANF), are eligible to apply for the program. 

In LISD 51 percent of students are directly certified, making the school district eligible for the CEP program. 

The program was originally authorized by Congress as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. 

The program launches next school year at Alma Brewer Strawn Elementary, Bluebonnet Elementary, Carver Early Education Center, Clear Fork Elementary, Navarro Elementary, Plum Creek Elementary and Lockhart Junior High School. In total, 4,477 students will benefit from the program. 

“We know that when students are able to regularly eat healthy, nutritious food, they are better able to learn,” said Superintendent Mark Estrada. “Our students have yet another advantage to prepare them for success.” 

In addition to providing balanced nutrition, the program also eliminates negative perceptions of students who may not be able to afford meals.

The school district also benefits by no longer having to cover negative balances at the end of each school year. 

“Our department is so proud to take this step in ensuring our students are healthy and ready to learn. We’ll continue to provide the same excellent quality in our food offerings, including farm fresh fruits and vegetables, but now at no cost to the students,” said LISD Director of Food & Nutrition Services James Acuna. “This is going to be a game-changer.” 

Acuna presented the program to the LISD Board of Trustees at Monday’s Regular Board meeting, where it was met by unanimous support. 

For additional information about LISD’s CEP program, please contact Acuna at  512-398-0292 or James.Acuna@lockhart.txed.net.