Nearly 30 Alabama school systems are participating in a program to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all their students.
The Gadsden Times reports the program is meant to eliminate so-called "food deserts" where children aren't getting food.
The coordinator of Alabama's Child Nutrition Program, June Barrett, says about 28 school systems are participating and more can join later.
The federal program is available to districts or schools have at least 40 percent of students on free lunches. Entire districts or individual schools can participate.
Barrett says having all students eat for free eliminates the social stigma of individuals getting free meals because they're poor.
Barrett says some parents struggle to pay for meals even at reduced prices of 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.
