NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois have
been chosen as the first states for a new federal program making it
easier to provide school meals to children in low-income areas.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon
said in announcing the states' selection on Wednesday that it will
give needy children better access to healthy school meals and
reduce paperwork for schools and parents.
Under the option, schools can use the percentage of children
from households receiving food stamps as the basis to provide free
meals to all children free of charge. The schools will be
responsible for paying costs above the federal reimbursement
amount.
The program will be available in all states by the 2014-2015
school year.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)