cep schools

Bay District Schools Expands Free School Meal Access for 2026-2027

BDS Communications

June 23, 2026

Bay District Schools is pleased to announce that more students will have access to free breakfast and lunch during the 2026-2027 school year through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federal program that allows qualifying schools to serve meals at no cost to all enrolled students.

Under CEP, every student attending a participating school may receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day, regardless of household income or whether a meal application is submitted.

The following Bay District Schools campuses will participate in CEP during the 2026-2027 school year:

Elementary Schools

  • A. Gary Walsingham Academy

  • Callaway Elementary School

  • Cedar Grove Elementary School

  • Deane Bozeman School

  • Deer Point Elementary School

  • Hiland Park Elementary School

  • Hutchison Beach Elementary School

  • Lucille Moore Elementary School

  • Lynn Haven Elementary School

  • Merriam Cherry Street Elementary School

  • Northside Elementary School

  • Oscar Patterson Academy

  • Parker Elementary School

  • Patronis Elementary School

  • Southport Elementary School

  • Tommy Smith Elementary School

  • Waller Elementary School

  • West Bay Elementary School

Middle Schools

  • Jinks Middle School

  • Merritt Brown Middle School

  • Mowat Middle School

  • Surfside Middle School

High Schools

  • Bay High School

  • Rosenwald High School

  • Rutherford High School

Special Purpose Schools

  • M.K. Lewis School

  • St. Andrew School at Oakland Terrace

Families with students attending CEP schools do not need to complete a free and reduced-price meal application in order for their children to receive free breakfast and lunch. However, families attending non-CEP schools may still qualify for free or reduced-price meals and are encouraged to complete the appropriate application if they believe they meet eligibility requirements. To learn more about reduced-priced meals, see our article titled Free and Reduced-Price Meal Guidelines for 2026-2027.

"Providing healthy meals is one of the many ways we support student success," said Jennifer Lathem-Walters, Director of Food Service for Bay District Schools. "When students have access to nutritious meals throughout the school day, they are better prepared to learn, grow, and thrive."

For additional information about school meal programs, families may contact the Bay District Schools Food Service Department at (850) 767-1170 or FSSupport@bay.k12.fl.us.