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School food director reports 444,789 lunches served this year, district remains in federal CEP program
Summary
The district’s food services director reported meal counts, reimbursements and programs tied to the National School Lunch Program and the CEP universal free-meal provision; the board discussed operational challenges and potential federal funding changes.
School City of East Chicago food services director Michael Hale reported to the board that the district served 444,789 lunches and 261,380 breakfasts during the 2024–25 school year under the National School Lunch Program and the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which provides universal free meals in high-need districts.
Hale said CEP allows the district to feed every student at no charge and that meal reimbursements come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He told the board the district received roughly $2,500,000 in USDA reimbursements this year, with a reported operating surplus of about $455,000 that the program can use for equipment and cafeteria upgrades.
"We qualify for what is called…
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