ALEXANDRIA, La. (WNTZ) — Rapides Parish students will once again have access to free breakfast and lunch this summer as the school district launches its 2025 Summer Food Service Program at sites across the parish beginning June 2.

The meals will be available Monday through Thursday at most locations, with two schools offering service Monday through Friday. The program runs through June 26 or June 27, depending on the site.

Full meal service will be available at the following schools:

• Alexandria Senior High (ASH) – Mon–Fri | Breakfast: 7:30–8:30 a.m. | Lunch: 11:00–12:00 p.m. | June 2–27
• Peabody Magnet High School – Mon–Fri | Breakfast: 7:00–8:00 a.m. | Lunch: 11:00–12:00 p.m. | June 2–27
• J. I. Barron, Mabel Brasher, Scott Brame Middle, D. F. Huddle, Forest Hill, J. B. Nachman, Paradise Elementary, Pineville High, Pineville Jr. High, and Hayden R. Lawrence – Mon–Thu | Breakfast: 7:00–8:00 a.m. | Lunch: 11:00–12:00 p.m. | June 2–26

In addition, satellite sites at Tioga High and Northwood High will offer shorter meal windows from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. for breakfast and 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. for lunch, Monday through Thursday from June 2–26.

This initiative is made possible through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a non-pricing meal service option aimed at providing meals to students in low-income areas. CEP enables the nation’s highest poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without the need to collect household applications.

Mrs. Erma Davis, director of the Rapides Parish School Board Food Services Department, spearheaded the effort to secure this funding. “Parents won’t have to worry about lunch money or outstanding lunch fees. All students will have access to balanced meals every day,” Davis said.

The application process for this provision is an annual requirement. Since 2019, Rapides Parish has benefited from this funding, ensuring that every student receives free meals. The program is entirely free, requiring no SUN Bucks or EBT charges.

“We welcome all children in Rapides Parish to join us,” Davis added.

For more information, families are encouraged to contact participating schools or visit the Rapides Parish School Board website.