Beginning next school year, students and parents in St. Martin and Iberia Parish will have one less thing to worry about as both parishes will provide public school students with free meals.

The Community Eligibility Program is part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act that was passed in 2010. If 40% of students qualify, the entire school is eligible. According to Iberia Parish Superintendent, 75% of Iberia Parish students meet the requirements.

One Loureville resident, Armand Leblanc, reflects on a time where things were not as simple. “I remember when we were going to school, we come from a big family and there were times we could not eat because we didn’t have the funds for it.”

     The federal program will provide up to six million dollars and the school system will tack on an additional 1 million, which will provide free meals at school for more than 14,000 students.

New Iberia Resident, Isadore Carret says, “I think that’s a good thing. They won’t go hungry, maybe the Acadia home they can eat at school. Maybe their parents can’t afford to feed them at school, now they can use for free.”

Another community member thinks the free lunches are great, but would like to see healthier options on the menu.

“And perhaps even really working with local farmers and local producers to actually include locally grown items on the menus for the kids,” says Iberia Community Garden Co-Manager Phanat Xanamane.

Iberia Parish schools will also take part in the Supper Program, which allows students in athletics or enrichment programs after school to have “grab-and-go” meals available to them.

 

St. Martin Parish Schools in CEP:

Breaux Bridge Junior High School

St. Martinville Junior High

Breaux Bridge Elementary

St. Martinville Primary School

Breaux Bridge Primary

Cecilia Primary

Early Learning Center.