All of the Dallas school district's 159,000 students will now get free breakfast and lunch after the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will no longer link the cost of meals to students' family income.
The Dallas Morning News reports the district will become one of the nation's largest districts to provide both meals under the department's federally funded meal program.
The changes apply to every student regardless of family income. Snacks are not included.
The district decided to make the change after 89 percent of its students qualified for a free or reduced-price meal last year. To qualify, a family of four must earn less than $30,615 a year.
District officials hope the overhaul saves money by eliminating 40 jobs and paperwork.
The USDA's program began in 1980.
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