Free Lunch, Breakfast Program Comes To Several Stafford Schools

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — Free breakfast and lunches are coming to several schools around Stafford County for all students regardless of income level, Stafford County Public Schools announced this week.

Officials said certain schools will be participating in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP), which provides free meals through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

Here is the full list of participating Stafford County schools for the 2023-2024 school year.

• Anne E. Moncure Elementary
• Kate Waller Barrett Elementary
• Widewater Elementary
• Falmouth Elementary
• Anthony Burns Elementary
• Rocky Run Elementary
• North Star Head Start Program
• Rising Star Head Start Program
• Edward E. Drew Middle School

Students at the participating schools will receive the free meal each school day. No applications or fees are required.

"In all other schools, household size and income will be used to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits," Stafford County Public Schools said in a news release. "Children who are members of households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly the Food Stamp Program) or who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) may be automatically eligible for free meals."

Children in foster care and children who are homeless, migrants, or runaways will also qualify for free meals.

Students at other schools may qualify for free or reduced-price meals depending on their family's income levels. The income levels are also based on the size of the student's household.

More information about the free and reduced meals, including income requirements, is available online.