News Summary
Asheville City Schools has announced that all enrolled students will receive free breakfast and lunch for the upcoming school year through a partnership with Chartwells K-12. This initiative utilizes the Community Eligibility Provision to ensure no child goes hungry. The Superintendent emphasized that access to nutritious meals is crucial for student success. Families will receive further details in the coming months, while a summer meal program is also in place to support students during their break.
Asheville, NC – All students enrolled at Asheville City Schools will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2025-26 school year. This initiative, made possible through a partnership with Chartwells K-12, will leverage the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program to ensure that no student goes hungry.
The CEP allows schools to provide meals at no cost to all students under the age of 18, eliminating the necessity for families to fill out any meal applications. This move is aimed at fostering a supportive learning environment by removing barriers to accessing nutritious meals.
In light of this initiative, the Superintendent of Asheville City Schools emphasized that nutritious meals are essential for student success. By ensuring all students have access to healthy options, the school district strives to promote better educational outcomes and overall well-being.
More details regarding the free meal program will be made available in July and August 2025. Families will be encouraged to stay informed about the specific offerings and operational details as the implementation date approaches.
In addition to this significant announcement, Asheville City Schools has also launched a summer meal program, which began last week and will run every Wednesday until August 13. The summer program aims to provide continued support for students during the break, ensuring that they have access to nutritious meals even when school is not in session.
Information about the specific meals and meal boxes offered during the summer program will be provided shortly. This initiative underscores the district’s commitment to combat child hunger and support the health of its students.
Parents and caregivers can find information about the breakfast and lunch menus for the upcoming school year by accessing a designated online platform. This link will help families plan meals and understand the nutritional options available to their children as they head back to school.
Background on Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
The Community Eligibility Provision is a federal program designed to help schools offer free meals to students in low-income areas. By allowing schools to provide meals to all children without additional paperwork, the CEP aims to reduce the stigma associated with free or reduced-price meals and streamline the meal distribution process.
Aiming to Combat Child Hunger
Asheville City Schools recognizes the impact that hunger can have on a child’s capacity to learn and thrive. Through the introduction of free meals, the organization aims to create an environment where students can focus on their education rather than their next meal. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to fostering health and wellness in the community, working to ensure that all students have the support they need to succeed.
With these initiatives, Asheville City Schools aims not only to provide food security but also to promote better health outcomes, reduce absenteeism, and enhance educational achievement among students in the district.
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Additional Resources
- WLOS: Asheville City Schools to Offer Free Meals
- WSPA: Asheville City Schools Free Meals Announcement
- Mountain X: Free Food Resources in WNC
- Google Search: Asheville City Schools free meals
- Wikipedia: Food Security in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
