Sponsored By

Broward County Schools pilots Universal Free Lunch

Florida district is offering free breakfast and lunch to all students during the 2023/24 school year through CEP and a new pilot program for Universal Free Lunch.

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

August 8, 2023

7 Slides
Whole_Grain_Cheese_Pizza_9.JPG

Through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) in Florida is providing free breakfast and lunch at no cost for all students at 180 eligible district schools. In the remaining 47 schools that don't meet federal CEP eligibility requirements, a new Universal Free Lunch Program is being piloted that will provide reimbursable lunch meals to all students regardless of their eligibility for federally subsidized meals. 

Meanwhile to launch the 2023-24 school year on August 21, cafeterias across the district will celebrate with a tropical theme that includes Cool Tropics Raspberry Passion Fruit Slushies and ABC cookies accompanied by fun handouts, stickers and plenty of tropical décor in the cafeterias. Cool Tropics, a BCPS Food & Nutrition Services partner, hosted the 2022–2023 school year surfboard design contest.

Here's a look at some of the new offerings BCPS is planning for the coming year...

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

Subscribe to FoodService Director Newsletters
Get the foodservice industry news and insights you need for success, right in your inbox.