CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Clay County District Schools has announced its policy for free and reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs for the 2026-2027 school year. Families who believe they may qualify are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
New meal prices take effect
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Meal prices have been updated for the upcoming school year. Elementary lunch is now $3.00, secondary lunch is $3.25, and breakfast is $2.00 for all grade levels. Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will pay $0.40 for lunch and $0.30 for breakfast.
What is CEP — and does your child’s school participate?
Some Clay County schools participate in the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP, which provides both breakfast and lunch free of charge to all students — no application required.
The following schools are participating in CEP for 2026-2027:
AMI Kids, Bannerman Learning Center, Charles E. Bennett Elementary, Coppergate Elementary, Clay Hill Elementary, Doctors Inlet Elementary, Grove Park Elementary, Keystone Heights Elementary, Keystone Heights High School, Lakeside Elementary, McRae Elementary, Middleburg Elementary, Montclair Elementary, Orange Park High, Orange Park Junior High, Ridgeview Elementary, S. Bryan Jennings Elementary, W.E. Cherry Elementary, Wilkinson Elementary and Wilkinson Junior High.
Families with children split between a CEP and a non-CEP school will still need to complete an application. Because household size factors into eligibility, all children in the household must be listed.
How to apply
Families whose children attend non-CEP schools must complete a new application each school year. Applications are available online at Clay County District Schools website and are described as safe, secure and accessible anytime, anywhere. Paper applications will also be sent home at the start of school.
Completed paper applications can be returned to the child’s school or mailed to the Food and Nutrition Services Office at 925 Center St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year.
Who qualifies — and what information is needed
Eligibility is based on household size and income. An application cannot be approved unless all required eligibility information is complete. Once approved, benefits are valid for the entire school year.
Households receiving SNAP or TANF benefits only need to provide the child’s name, a valid Florida SNAP/TANF case number and the signature of an adult household member.
All other households must provide:
- Total household income listed by gross amount, type and how often it is received for each household member
- Names of all household members; if a household member is a child, include the school name; check “no income” if applicable
- Signature of an adult household member
- Last four digits of the signing adult’s Social Security number, or the word “NONE” if the adult does not have one
Special circumstances
Foster children qualify for free meal benefits regardless of personal or household income.
Families with children who are migrants, homeless or runaways should contact the district liaison at (904) 336-1346 or the migrant coordinator at (352) 955-6855.
For families with deployed service members, those individuals are considered part of the household for eligibility purposes. Families should include their names on the application and report only the portion of income made available to the family. Housing allowances under the Military Housing Privatization Initiative should not be reported as income.
Appealing a decision
Applications are reviewed by the Food and Nutrition Services Administrative Support Assistant. Parents or guardians who disagree with an eligibility decision may first discuss it informally with the determining official.
To file a formal appeal, contact:
David S. Broskie, Superintendent of Schools 900 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 (904) 336-6500 or 1-(888) 663-2529
Information provided on the application may also be used to determine eligibility for other educational programs unless otherwise indicated.
For more information, contact the Food and Nutrition Services Office at 925 Center St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043, by phone at (904) 336-6856 or (904) 336-6500, or toll-free at 1-(888) 663-2529.