Atwater, CA (August 17, 2021) – Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) is pleased to announce that all students will eat meals at no charge during the 2021-22 school year thanks to the district's participation in the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The program allows MUHSD to provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to all students, eliminating the need for free and reduced-price meal applications.
The CEP allows school districts in areas with a high number of low-income families to serve meals at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Schools are eligible for the program if they have a certain percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced meals.
“We know that students have a difficult time learning when they are hungry and this program allows us to meet a critical need that will help our students be ready and able to learn throughout the school day,” said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson.
According to MUHSD Director of Nutrition Services Erin Tassey, the designation also helps remove the social stigma from students who qualify for free or reduced meals because all students now eat meals at no charge.
“We are committed to providing students with as many opportunities as possible for them to get complete, healthy meals,” said Tassey. “CEP allows us to remove a roadblock to that access for many of our students.”
For more information about CEP, visit www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/cep.asp.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of
the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
(2) Fax: 202-690-7442
(3) E-mail: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Prepared by CDE-NSD|Aug2014
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