Free Meals Offered for Eligible Students at 10 Houston County Schools

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Some kids at ten Houston County schools will be eligible for free meals thanks to a new pilot program.

The Board of Education is implementing free breakfast, lunch, and a snack in nine elementary schools, and one middle school in the county funded by the USDA.

Children at those schools who live in households that rely on federal assistance are eligible.

Director of Houston County School Nutrition Meredith Potter says free and reduced meal plans will not be affected with the new program.

“That’s the only thing that they need to do in order to receive this benefit, there is no fee, there are no applications if they have siblings or other members of their household that would like to qualify for free or reduced meals then they would need to fill out the free or reduced meal application,” Potter said.

To qualify, 40 percent or more of the students at the school have to be eligible.

The program is called CEO stands for Community Eligibility Option.

It will be available in the 2013-2014 school year all over the state.

Georgia is one of 11 states selected to use the program this year.

CEO will be available nationally beginning next year.