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Beginning Nov. 1, both Clymer Central School and Bemus Point Central School are able to provide their students with free breakfast and lunch meals throughout the day.
The United States Department of Agriculture offers a Community Eligibility Provision program, that allows all enrolled students in specific schools to be eligible for free meals from the school during the school day.
At Bemus Point, Holly Griffith, school business Executive and food service director, said that the program is also available for students in every grade.
"All students in PreK through 12 will have one breakfast and lunch meal per day for free," Griffith said.
Sue Watrous, Clymer cafeteria manager, said while this is a program from the USDA, only schools that apply are eligible for it.
"Schools have to apply and be qualified in order to be eligible for CEP," Watrous said. "We applied now because they lowered the percentage to be qualified."
According to the state Department of Education's website, other Chautauqua County schools that have at least one school building that is CEP qualified include; Brocton, Cassadaga Valley, Chautauqua Lake, Dunkirk, Fredonia, Forestville, Frewsburg, Jamestown, Pine Valley, Sherman, Silver Creek and Westfield.
Watrous said this is an important program for eligible schools and that students should take advantage.
"Every enrolled student is eligible for free breakfast and lunch," Watrous said. "It will help combat food insecurity and make sure all students have healthy food during the day."
Griffith said the same applies for Bemus Point, and that students should take advantage of the opportunity.
Watrous said the CEP program lasts for four consecutive school years and then as long as the schools still qualify they can reapply after that time period. According to Griffith, Bemus Point's window closes June 2027 and then they have to reapply.
Watrous added that Clymer is very excited to be CEP eligible, saying that it is a great opportunity for the school.