Orange County Schools says CEP regrouping boosted meal reimbursement and participation
November 17, 2025 | Orange County Schools, School Districts, North Carolina
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School nutrition officials told the Orange County Board of Education that participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) has increased student breakfast and lunch participation while improving reimbursement revenue for the district.
The presenter explained the ISP method (directly certified students divided by enrollment, multiplied by the USDA 1.6 multiplier) and said regrouping three participating elementary schools and Partnership Academy produced an ISP of 95.41%, qualifying the group for the highest no‑cost reimbursement rate. “Using the reestablished ISP, it resulted in 327 more breakfasts, and 386 more lunches reimbursed at the higher no‑cost rate,” the presenter said, and that the first‑quarter comparison produced an additional $2,852.71 in site revenue versus last year’s method.
The nutrition team highlighted participation gains at Partnership Academy after meals were made available at no cost and said the district continues universal breakfast at elementary schools. Staff described fresh fruits and vegetables programming at five schools (Central, Efflyn Cheeks Global, Grady A. Brown, New Hope, and Pathways elementary schools) and a new share‑table pilot at three sites (New Hope, Grady Brown, and ALS) to reallocate unopened or unserved food to hungry students at no cost. Equipment for the pilot (a cart, small refrigerator and shelving) will be provided by a grant partnership and implemented after Thanksgiving, the presenter said, and said the program will be evaluated for waste reduction and student uptake.
Board members asked how extra reimbursement dollars will be used and for metrics to judge the share‑table pilot’s success; staff said additional revenue may be used to replace aging equipment at high‑need schools, but purchases must be reported to the state before acquisition. Staff reiterated that CEP does not replace other measures to address food insecurity and noted partnerships with social workers and community food resources when SNAP benefits are delayed.
The board did not vote on policy changes; members requested follow‑up details on equipment procurement and pilot evaluation metrics.
The presenter explained the ISP method (directly certified students divided by enrollment, multiplied by the USDA 1.6 multiplier) and said regrouping three participating elementary schools and Partnership Academy produced an ISP of 95.41%, qualifying the group for the highest no‑cost reimbursement rate. “Using the reestablished ISP, it resulted in 327 more breakfasts, and 386 more lunches reimbursed at the higher no‑cost rate,” the presenter said, and that the first‑quarter comparison produced an additional $2,852.71 in site revenue versus last year’s method.
The nutrition team highlighted participation gains at Partnership Academy after meals were made available at no cost and said the district continues universal breakfast at elementary schools. Staff described fresh fruits and vegetables programming at five schools (Central, Efflyn Cheeks Global, Grady A. Brown, New Hope, and Pathways elementary schools) and a new share‑table pilot at three sites (New Hope, Grady Brown, and ALS) to reallocate unopened or unserved food to hungry students at no cost. Equipment for the pilot (a cart, small refrigerator and shelving) will be provided by a grant partnership and implemented after Thanksgiving, the presenter said, and said the program will be evaluated for waste reduction and student uptake.
Board members asked how extra reimbursement dollars will be used and for metrics to judge the share‑table pilot’s success; staff said additional revenue may be used to replace aging equipment at high‑need schools, but purchases must be reported to the state before acquisition. Staff reiterated that CEP does not replace other measures to address food insecurity and noted partnerships with social workers and community food resources when SNAP benefits are delayed.
The board did not vote on policy changes; members requested follow‑up details on equipment procurement and pilot evaluation metrics.
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