(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Nov. 4, 2025) — The El Paso Independent School District Food & Nutrition Services Department has announced updates to meal service programs for the 2025–2026 school year under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). These updates include continued participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) at qualifying campuses, as well as the process for free and reduced-price meal applications at schools not eligible for CEP.
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Schools
El Paso ISD will continue to operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) at qualifying campuses during the 2025–2026 school year. Students at CEP schools will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost, regardless of household income.
CEP eliminates the need for families to complete applications for free or reduced-price meals. This approach helps reduce administrative burdens while ensuring students have access to nutritious meals every day to support learning and academic success.
Families with children at CEP campuses do not need to take any action for their student(s) to receive meals at no charge.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications for Non-CEP Schools
For El Paso ISD schools not eligible for CEP, the district will continue processing free and reduced-price meal applications for the 2025–2026 school year.
Non-CEP campuses include:
• Milam Elementary
• Tippin Elementary
• Lundy Elementary
• Hornedo Middle School
• Coronado High School
• Franklin High School
• Franklin Magnet
At the start of the school year, households received information on eligibility requirements. Applications remain available at each school’s front office and the Food & Nutrition Services Office. It can also be found online at https://www.episd.org/o/episd/page/non-cep-meal-application-cep-information.
Important updates:
• Students who already qualify for free meals will continue receiving them.
• Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will now receive both breakfast and lunch at no cost.
• Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year.
Eligibility determinations are based on household income, participation in programs like SNAP or TANF, or other qualifying circumstances such as foster care, homelessness, or enrollment in Head Start. For additional information on CEP or free and reduced-price meal applications, please contact Food & Nutrition Services at 915-230-2160.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or (2) fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: Program.Intake@usda.gov.