Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)

No Cost Meals for Every Student in DMPS Buildings

Des Moines Public Schools is continuing its participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2023-24 school year. This means that all DMPS schools will be offering free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student every school day.

CEP allows districts with schools serving many low-income children to provide free and healthy school meals to all students through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. There is no need for paperwork; every student automatically benefits from the program.

Last school year, more than 76% of DMPS students qualified for free or reduced-price meals. This is the second year that the district has provided free and nutritious breakfasts and lunches to all DMPS students through CEP.