In a significant shift for Houston Independent School District (HISD), 33 schools will not participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2026-27 school year. This decision means these schools will not automatically provide free lunch and breakfast to all students, as confirmed by HISD’s website. The CEP program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration, allows high-poverty schools to offer free meals without requiring individual applications from students.

Details of the Change

The schools affected by this change include Baker Montessori, Briarmeadow Charter School, and Bellaire High School, among others. Notably, seven of these schools also opted out of the program in the previous year, 2025-26. Students attending these schools can still apply for free or reduced-price meals by submitting a Free/Reduced Price Meal Application to determine their eligibility.

The decision to participate in the CEP program is based on federal criteria, including the school’s eligibility for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). As of June 5, the USDA had not commented on any potential changes to CEP eligibility criteria.

Impact on Families

This change could have significant implications for families relying on automatic free meal services. While the application process remains an option, the shift places a greater responsibility on families to ensure their children receive the necessary nutrition during the school day. The move highlights the ongoing challenges faced by school districts in balancing federal program participation with local needs.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.