The School District of Manatee County Food & Nutrition Services announced today it will continue its policy to operate the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2026-2027 school year. Schools qualifying to operate CEP serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals. This new approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals. All students will be served lunch and breakfast at no charge at the following sites:
Abel Elementary
Ballard Elementary
Bashaw Elementary
Bayshore Elementary
Bayshore High
Blackburn Elementary
Daughtrey Elementary
Horizons Academy
Just for Girls Academy
Kinnan Elementary
Lee Middle
Lincoln Memorial Middle
Manatee Elementary
Manatee School for Arts & Sciences
Moody Elementary
Myakka Elementary
Oasis Middle
Oneco Elementary
Palm View Elementary
Palmetto Elementary
Prine Elementary
Rogers Garden Elementary
Samoset Elementary
Sea Breeze Elementary
Southeast High
Sugg Middle
Tillman Elementary
Visible Men Academy
For additional information please contact: the School District of Manatee County School, Attention: Regina Thoma, Director, Food & Nutrition Services 1812 27th St. E. Bradenton 34208 (941) 739-5700, thomar@manateeschools.net
The Community Eligibility Program (CEP) is part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Programs. Funding for this program comes from meal reimbursements received from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The School District of Manatee County General Funds are not used for this program.
About Manatee County Schools Food and Nutrition Services: As a self-supported program the mission of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is to provide quality nutritious meals so student can learn and succeed. As a student centered program, FNS strives to cultivate a healthier future in an ever changing global society. FNS serves over five million student lunches and breakfasts each year and provides service to over 80% of the student population. For more information contact Food and Nutrition Service 941-739-5700 or www.manateeschools.net/fns.
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 mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.