Bristol Tennessee City Schools will once again provide free breakfast and lunch to all enrolled students during the 2026–2027 school year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Because BTCS participates in CEP, families do not need to complete a free or reduced-price meal application for students to receive school meals. All enrolled students may enjoy one nutritious breakfast and one nutritious lunch each school day at no cost.
The Community Eligibility Provision is a federal program that allows qualifying school districts to provide meals to every student regardless of household income. By eliminating meal applications and offering meals at no charge, CEP helps ensure students have access to healthy meals that support learning while also reducing paperwork for families.
"Healthy meals are an important part of student success," said Jennifer Burleson, director of School Nutrition for Bristol Tennessee City Schools. "We're grateful to continue providing breakfast and lunch at no cost to every student, making it easier for families while helping ensure our students are well nourished and ready to learn each day."
All school breakfasts and lunches served by BTCS meet USDA nutrition standards designed to provide students with balanced, healthy meals.
In addition to the school breakfast and lunch program, BTCS will continue participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which provides meals and snacks at no separate charge to eligible children participating in qualifying after-school programs.
Families with questions about school meals or the School Nutrition Program may contact Jennifer Burleson, at burlesonj@btcs.org.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at
and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email:
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