The Irving Independent School District (ISD) has announced a groundbreaking initiative that is set to transform the lives of its students and families. Starting from the upcoming 2023-2024 school year, Irving ISD will be providing both breakfast and lunch free of charge to all students, irrespective of their ability to pay and without the need for a meal application.
Under the previous system, only students in PreK through 8th grade and high school students who qualified through a household meal benefits application were eligible for no-cost school meals. However, this new initiative extends the privilege to all high school students as well, eliminating the barriers and ensuring that every student can enjoy nutritious meals without any financial burden.
Not only will this initiative address food insecurity among students, but it will also alleviate financial stress for many Irving ISD families. The cost of school meals can be a significant burden for some households, and by removing this expense, the district aims to enable families to allocate their resources more effectively.
"At Irving ISD, we LOVE our students and want to make sure we empower them today to excel tomorrow," says Olga Rosenberger, Executive Director of Student Nutrition.
The offer of universal free meals is backed by the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP is a USDA program that allows school districts to serve all students in eligible schools a free breakfast and lunch.
For more information, visit Irving ISD's Food and Nutrition Services page.
