PENDER COUNTY, N.C. — Pender County Schools (PCS) will continue its participation in the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program at 15 qualifying schools for the 2025-26 school year. This initiative ensures that all students attending these schools will receive free, healthy breakfast and lunch every school day, beginning Monday, August 25, 2025.
PCS received approval to implement CEP at the identified schools for a four-year period, starting in the 2024-25 school year. CEP is a federally funded program that supports schools in low-income areas by reimbursing meal costs based on the percentage of students already enrolled in assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
The following PCS schools will participate in CEP for the 2025-26 school year:
Cape Fear Elementary
C.F. Pope Elementary
Malpass Corner Elementary
North Topsail Elementary
Rocky Point Elementary
South Topsail Elementary
Surf City Elementary
Burgaw Middle
Cape Fear Middle
West Pender Middle
Penderlea School
Heide Trask High
Pender High
Pender Early College
Pender Innovative Learning Academy
All students attending these schools will automatically receive free breakfast and lunch, with no application required, unless a school’s eligibility status changes during the approved four-year period. Please note: CEP covers standard breakfast and lunch meals, but does not include à la carte items.
The Community Eligibility Provision is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, offering an alternative to the traditional free and reduced-price application process. Schools that qualify can provide free meals to all students using data from other federal assistance programs, removing the burden from individual families.
For more information, contact the Pender County Schools Child Nutrition Office at 910-259-2187 or visit the USDA website at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/community-eligibility-provision