KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — While most schools in East Tennessee back in session or about to start the new school year, free lunch programs are returning.

Under the National School Lunch program, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows schools to provide one breakfast and lunch for free every day. But not every school district uses the CEP in the same way, this is because of certain eligibility requirements that may prohibit some schools’ from receiving enough funding for it.

While Jefferson County provides free meals in all of their schools, only 63 of the 91 Knox County Schools participate. KCS executive director of school nutrition Brett Foster said the size of their county plays a large role in why not every school is CEP eligible.

“I do find that it is more difficult for lar

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