What is CEP?
CEP allows ALL enrolled students to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. CEP is a non-pricing meal service option available for schools in qualifying areas. 

Am I paying for this with my school tax dollars? 
Federal tax dollars collected from United States citizens across the country (including our community) are used to fund the CEP program locally and elsewhere. CEP is available for districts within economically disadvantaged areas, and the Copiague School District has applied and been selected to participate based on several factors, including commonwealth ratio.

Do staff and teachers get to eat at no cost, too?
No – meals are available at no cost only to enrolled students at your school. Staff may purchase meals in the cafeteria.
 
Do families still need to fill out a “Free and Reduced Lunch Form?"
No. However, families will need to fill out a CUFSD Household Income form that can be found online. Families need to fill out the form electronically and they can access it through this link.
 
If students are all receiving free meals, why do families still need to fill out the application?
It is very important that families complete the CUFSD Household Income form EVERY year. As a district, we are eligible for additional funding by using data from qualifying CUFSD Household Income forms. Qualifying families that complete the form can also receive additional benefits – reduced or free fees, ACT/SAT testing fees, college application fees, etc.
 
Can students purchase additional meals, drinks and/or snacks? 
Yes. The first breakfast meal and first lunch meal of each school day are free for all students. Any additional items purchased à la carte would need to be paid for by the student/family.
 
What if students only want to purchase a single item, like a milk or an entrée?
CEP requires that only complete meals be served at no cost. We encourage students take a complete meal for breakfast and lunch as a healthier, no-cost option.

Click here to complete your Household Income Form

Federal regulations require schools and institutions to serve meals at no extra charge to those children whose disability restricts their diets in such a way that they cannot fully participate in the food service program without some modification to the foods offered on the scheduled menu. You must request the special meals from the school and provide the school with medical certification from a medical doctor. Contact the Director of Food Services, at 842-4010, extension 450

New York State continues to distribute Pandemic EBT food benefits to all households with eligible children who receive free school lunch under the National School Lunch Act. Here are important updates to the distribution:

• OTDA continues to issue P-EBT food benefits for the 2021-22 school year, Summer 2022, and Summer 2023.

• The online application for 2021-22 school year P-EBT food benefits has closed. As of October 1, 2023, applications are no longer being accepted.

• OTDA continues to review and process applications submitted on or prior to September 30, 2023.

• Please note, P-EBT food benefits will not be issued to school-age children for the 2022-23 school year.

• Most P-EBT food benefits will be issued by December 30, 2023.

• You can check your family's P-EBT food benefit transaction history by visiting The Electronic Benefits Transfer database or by calling 1-888-328-6399.

For additional information please visit NYSOTDA P-EBT Benefits Information Page.

• 8505 Meal Charge Policy and Prohibition Against Shaming
• 8505-R Meal Charge Regulation
• 8505-E.1 Meal Charge Letter
• 8505-E.2 Student Meal Charge Waiver
• 8520 Free and Reduced Price Services
• 5415 School Wellness 
• 5415-R School Wellness Policy Regulation

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form(link is external), (AD-3027) found online at: (link is external), and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture        

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

         1400 Independence Avenue, SW

         Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2)     fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3)     email: program.intake@usda.gov(link sends e-mail). This institution is an equal opportunity provider.  Los demás programas de asistencia nutricional del FNS, las agencias estatales y locales, y sus beneficiarios secundarios, deben publicar el siguiente Aviso de No Discriminación:  De conformidad con la Ley Federal de Derechos Civiles y los reglamentos y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los EE. UU. (USDA, por sus siglas en ingles), se prohíbe que el USDA, sus agencias, oficinas, empleados e instituciones que participan o administran programas del USDA discriminen sobre la base de raza, color, nacionalidad, sexo, discapacidad, edad, o en represalia o venganza por actividades previas de derechos civiles en algún programa o actividad realizados o financiados por el USDA. Las personas con discapacidades que necesiten medios alternativos para la comunicación de la información del programa (por ejemplo, sistema Braille, letras grandes, cintas de audio, lenguaje de seas americano, etc.), deben ponerse en contacto con la agencia (estatal o local) en la que solicitaron los beneficios. Las personas sordas, con dificultades de audición o discapacidades del habla pueden comunicarse con el USDA por medio del Federal Relay Service [Servicio Federal de Retransmisión] al (800) 877-8339. Además, la información del programa se puede proporcionar en otros idiomas. Para presentar una denuncia de discriminación, complete el Formulario de Denuncia de Discriminación del Programa del USDA(link is external), (AD-3027) que está disponible en linea en:http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Spanish_Form_508_Compliant_6_8_12_0.pdf(link is external). y en cualquier oficina del USDA, o bien escriba una carta dirigida al USDA e incluya en la carta toda la información solicitada en el formulario. Para solicitar una copia del formulario de denuncia, llame al (866) 6329992. Haga llegar su formulario lleno o carta al USDA por: (1)     correo: U.S. Department of Agriculture          Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights          1400 Independence Avenue, SW          Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2)     fax: (202) 690-7442; o (3)     correo electrónico: program.intake@usda.gov(link sends e-mail). Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.