The Athens Banner-Herald (http://bit.ly/1ONMpUQ ) reports the Clarke County School District will use a new provision by the U.S Department of Agriculture. It allows schools with a high percentage of students on free or reduced-price lunch programs to provide free meals to all students. Under the provision, schools will no longer require students to file paperwork and undergo screenings to show they are eligible for the program.

A Clarke County spokesman says more than 80 percent of students in the county qualify for free and reduced-price meals, but some families don't apply out of embarrassment. The universal program will remove any stigma of free lunch.

The school district intends to make the change permanent.