CEP

Lunenburg Public Schools participates in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

Beginning school year 2026 - 2027 Lunenburg Public Schools will implement the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This means that all students will be able to receive school breakfast and lunch at no charge. Families will not need to pay for school meals or submit a household meal benefits application. Some families have completed meal benefit applications from previous school years and submitted them. We will not be processing meal benefit applications please don't submit them.

What does this mean for families?

We understand that some families may have questions about how this change affects eligibility for other school related fee reductions or waivers. In the past, meal benefit status was used to help determine whether a family qualified for certain reductions or waivers.

Lunenburg Public Schools will continue to conduct direct certification to identify families who may qualify for benefits. Families identified through direct certification will be notified by U.S. mail. Remember to complete those sharing information forms.

If you believe your family may qualify for reduced or waived school-related fees but have not received a direct certification letter, please contact the Food Service Director.

Families that have qualified by application in the past.

An Alternative Income Form is available for families who may qualify through the income eligibility process. The form is available in the Districts Central Office.

Please reach out to the Central Office with any questions or if you need assistance completing the form.

We are committed to making sure families have access to the information and resources they need.

Starting school year 2026 -2027 Food service will be offering lunch on half days.

At the Primary school it will business as usual three scheduled lunch periods. The Elementary, Middle and High school students will need to opt in for lunch on these days. Families will find a link to opt in for meals on early release days on school webpages a week before the early release day.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the food Service Director.

Friendly reminder if you received a direct Certification letter in the mail please completed the sharing information form that was included in the envelope.

If your family qualifies for free or reduced-price meal benefits through our school meal program. In addition to meals, this qualification may also make your student eligible for waived or reduced fees school-related costs, including:

• Athletics
• Class dues and activity fees
• PSAT testing
• Field trip assistance (this depends on funding)
• And more

However, in order for your student to receive these additional benefits, we are required to have your permission to share your meal benefit status with other departments in the school. These benefits may be very useful for seniors given all of the senior class events coming up. I f you have not completed a sharing information form this school year you can do so now. I f have completed one there is no need to do so again.

In the past, this information may have been shared automatically. Due to changes in privacy requirements, we now must receive your explicit consent before we can apply any waivers or discounts.

Please complete the attached Sharing Information Form or use the link for our Online Sharing Information Google Form below as soon as possible to ensure your student receives all eligible benefits.

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact Nadine Lorenzen 978-582-4115 x1148 nlorenzen@lunenburgschools.net