Thousands more TN students would eat free in school under new bill

Program aimed at expanding free, reduced school meals fails in House

The House of Representatives killed an amendment to the budget that would have automatically enrolled children who receive Medicaid into free and reduced school meal programs.

Thousands more TN students would eat free in school under new bill

A bill moving through the statehouse would expand free school meals to thousands more Tennessee students. Under the measure, students who qualify for reduced-price meals now would eat for free — with the state covering the small amount, 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch, that their families currently pay. The legislation is now on hold until the House passes a new budget. In March, the bill passed out of the House education committee…