Buchanan County, VA — The Buchanan County Public Schools has joined with other regional school systems in giving students free breakfast and lunch. According to Buchanan County school officials, the Community Eligibility Provision is what makes the meals possible. The CEP is a federal program through the USDA that offers a free meal service option to districts in low-income areas. The program is available where more than 40 percent of the students’ families use federal programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid. Statistics indicate that in Buchanan County that rate is 53 percent. After a trial program last year in five schools, this year the free breakfast and lunch program is districtwide in Buchanan County.