# Child Nutrition Programs: Community Eligibility Provision-Increasing Options for Schools
> **Food and Nutrition Service** · Final rule. · Published 2023-09-26 · Effective 2023-10-26 · 88 FR 65778
## Document
- **Document number:** 2023-20294
- **Category:** other
- **Sub-agency:** Food and Nutrition Service
- **Federal Register citation:** 88 FR 65778
- **CFR reference:** 7 CFR 245
- **Publication date:** 2023-09-26
- **Effective date:** 2023-10-26
- **USDA docket:** FNS-2022-0044
## Abstract

This final rule amends the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) regulations by lowering the minimum identified student percentage (ISP) from 40 percent to 25 percent. Lowering the minimum ISP will give States and schools greater flexibility to offer meals to all enrolled students at no cost when financially viable. As a result of this rule, more schools are eligible to participate in CEP and experience the associated benefits, such as increasing students' access to healthy, no-cost school meals; eliminating unpaid meal charges; reducing stigma; and streamlining Program administration and meal service operations.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/09/26/2023-20294/child-nutrition-programs-community-eligibility-provision-increasing-options-for-schools)
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