Recent changes tightening eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid could leave hundreds of thousands of families without benefits. As a result, the School Nutrition Association warns, many children could lose automatic access to free school meals.

Families can still apply for meal assistance on their own, but advocates say many may have difficulty completing paperwork in time. The deadlines and documentation can be especially challenging for households already under financial stress.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | USDA cuts programs that gave schools funds to support local farmers for student meals

"It hurts the whole program because one of the things that we've seen really helps school lunch programs is having a lot of students participate, because whe

See Full Page