According to a report by WVLT, the district-wide initiative is powered by the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federal program under the National School Lunch Act. Roane County easily met this threshold, joining a large roster of qualifying districts across East Tennessee, including Knox, Anderson, and Cumberland counties. For local school officials, the universal meal program is about much more than just feeding hungry children; it is about fostering an inclusive environment. Roane County Schools Nutrition Director Megan Adams emphasized that scrapping the traditional paperwork process removes the social barriers historically tied to free and reduced-price lunches. Every kid does deserve a free meal… they do deserve nutrition, a healthy meal, and we’re glad we get to offer that at no cost.”