KIPP Texas nutrition manager: all students get free meals under CEP; menu promotions and allergy process explained

Hannah Bishop, the nutrition education manager for KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, told the School Health Advisory Committee that KIPP operates under the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and therefore provides free breakfast and lunch to all KIPP Texas students without requiring meal applications or sign-ups.

Bishop said the district offers recurring promotions (monthly birthday celebrations with treats on the first Thursday, a monthly 'harvest of the month' fruit or vegetable, global-themed meals and observances such as National School Lunch Week) and that menus are posted online. She also reviewed food-allergy procedures: parents should report allergies to school nurses so the nurse can document them; Bishop said, "In order to be documented, they have to...have a signed physician's note," and that removal of an allergy from records requires a signed parent note. She added the cafeterias do not serve peanuts or peanut products, but some served items may be processed in facilities that handle peanuts, so documentation is important.

Bishop said child-nutrition staff and regional leads are available to answer questions and that she would post menu and contact information in the meeting chat. She encouraged families to contact school nurses with allergy information so cafeteria staff can be alerted and make dietary accommodations.