Transylvania County Schools providing free breakfast, lunch to students

Dean Hensley, Hendersonville Times-News
·2 min read
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Transylvania County Schools recently sent out a letter to students' parents, notifying them of something special happening for the 2023-24 school year, which begins on Aug. 28: Free meals.

"Every student will be provided breakfast and lunch each school day at no cost," the letter said. "This is thanks to Transylvania County Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Programs and the USDA Community Eligibility Provision."

A photo of the sign at Brevard Elementary School.
A photo of the sign at Brevard Elementary School.

The letter also said parents will not need to submit free and reduced lunch applications for the 2023-2024 school year.

Individual and special sales items and extra meals may be purchased with cash or through available funds on students’ accounts. For prepayment, there is the K12 Payment Center, which allows parents to add funds to students' accounts.

Students participate in Fun Day on May 26 at Brevard High School.
Students participate in Fun Day on May 26 at Brevard High School.

Transylvania County Schools consists of nine schools, listed below:

  • Brevard High School

  • Rosman High School

  • Brevard Middle School

  • Rosman Middle School

  • Davidson River School

  • Brevard Elementary School

  • Rosman Elementary School

  • TC Henderson Elementary School

  • Pisgah Forest Elementary School

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"We are excited to offer this benefit to our students and families and look forward to serving nutritious meals that fuel our students’ achievement this year," the letter said.

Buncombe County Schools will also offer free meals (breakfast and lunch) for students for the 2023-24 school year. According to past Citizen Times reporting, a district becomes eligible for CEP if 40% or more of students in a district are already certified to eat for free without filling out an application, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website.

Approved by Congress in 2010, the Community Eligibility Provision was a part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which became an available option nationwide in the 2014-2015 school year.

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Parents who want to learn more about the free meal program can contact the Transylvania County Schools Nutrition Office at 828-885-7377.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Transylvania County students to receive free meals for school year