Charlotte County cuts free student meals at 12 schools effective next school year

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Charlotte County Public Schools announced that only eight schools will continue offering free meals to all students next school year under a federal program.

Since 2022, following Hurricane Ian, the district has provided free breakfast and lunch to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision, a federally funded program for schools in low-income areas.

However, updated federal eligibility requirements tied to the percentage of directly certified students mean some schools no longer meet the threshold to remain in the program.

Direct certification refers to students who automatically qualify for meal assistance through participation in federal programs such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Foster, Homeless, Migrant, Runaway, or Head Start. Schools must meet a specific percentage of directly certified students to qualify for the program.

Eight schools will continue to qualify for the program and provide free meals to all students for the next four years: 

• Peace River Elementary School

• Baker/Pre-K Center

• The Academy

• Neil Armstrong Elementary School

• Kingsway Elementary School

• Meadow Park Elementary School

• Port Charlotte Middle School

• Murdock Middle School

The remaining 12 schools will no longer qualify for the program:

• Deep Creek Elementary School

• East Elementary School

• Liberty Elementary School

• Myakka River Elementary School

• Sallie Jones Elementary School

• Vineland Elementary School

• Charlotte Harbor Center

• L.A. Ainger Middle School

• Punta Gorda Middle School

• Charlotte High School

• Port Charlotte High School

• Lemon Bay High School

Families with students attending schools that do not qualify are strongly encouraged to complete a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application after July 1. 

The application can be completed as part of annual enrollment forms in the Focus Parent Portal, and approval is based on household income.

Families who need assistance completing the application or have questions can contact the Charlotte County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services Department at 941-575-5400.