Spring 2026 – School meals are a critical part of the school day, supporting student access to nutritious food while helping children arrive in the classroom ready to learn. The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) gives eligible schools and districts the opportunity to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students, but eligibility alone does not always make participation feasible.

CHILDREN AT RISK’s new report, Beyond Eligibility: What Drives CEP Participation in Texas Schools, examines how Texas districts are making decisions about CEP. Drawing on interviews, survey data, and policy analysis, the research finds that districts consistently value the student benefits of CEP, including greater food access, reduced stigma, increased meal participation, and financial relief for families. At the same time, financial sustainability remains a central factor in whether districts can adopt or maintain the program.

Through conversations with school nutrition leaders across Texas, C@R also developed an accompanying toolkit to help districts evaluate, implement, and strengthen CEP participation. From financial modeling and campus grouping strategies to meal participation, cost-saving approaches, and communication tools, the toolkit highlights practical strategies Texas schools are using to expand meal access while supporting long-term program sustainability.