Thanks to a federal program passed back in 2010, students in Thomas County will be getting free breakfast and lunch this school year at no cost to the parents nor the school system. Georgia is one of four states that joined the ‘Community Eligibility Option Program’, which is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Unfortunately for parents of high school students, Thomas County HS did not meet the federal criteria to apply for the program. The free meals will go to kids from kindergarten through 8th grade.

Katie Edison, the Thomas County Director of School Nutrition, told WCTV that the program cuts back on both their labor costs and paperwork, making it a ‘win-win’ for both the school system and parents.