Columbia now offering free meals at certain schools

Columbia officials announced they are offering free breakfast and lunch to every student at certain pre-selected schools, as part of a national test program.

The district confirmed the pilot efforts involve seven places: Alpha Hart Lewis, Benton STEM, Blue Ridge, Derby Ridge and West Boulevard elementaries, plus CORE (Center of Responsive Education) and Douglass High School.

The changes through Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) just took effect on Tuesday. Most of the funding is with the National School Lunch program. Students are expected cover the remaining partial re-imbursement for 8.9 percent of the costs.

The district still urged parents to submit applications for free and reduced meals just make sure their students are covered in case they are transferred to another school.

Nationwide, districts have seen a jump in the number of students after taking part in the CEP. More cities find it easier to switch to universal coverage, depending on the district, to help cut down on paperwork. That list already includes Chicago, Dallas and Philadelphia.