Next year, Colquitt County High School will join the program allowing all students to receive free meals.

The current school year has been a pilot year for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Eligibility Provision Program in Colquitt County. All local schools except the high school could participate.

“For the 2014-2015 school year, we are pleased to announce that the Community Eligibility Provision Program will extend to all students at all locations, including Colquitt County High School,” School Nutrition Director Monika W. Griner said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the nutritional needs of all of our students.”

During the 2013-2014 school year, families at Colquitt County High School that believed they qualified for the free or reduced-cost lunches at the schools had to fill out paperwork to verify their eligibility. Students whose families met the income qualifications received the lunches for free or at less than half the normal price.

“Families will benefit from the money saved each month and in turn have those extra funds to spend in our community. It is a win-win for our students, families, school system, and community!” Griner said.

The Community Eligibility Provision was implemented by the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. Georgia was one of 11 states to pilot the program. It goes nation-wide July 2014, but only schools with the appropriate percentage of qualifying students will be able to take advantage of it even then.