What the end of free universal meals means in 2 Mass. school districts

Thursday is the last day any child, regardless of income, can eat lunch for free at schools across the nation. Congress failed to renew the pandemic-era provision.

Locally, there are efforts in Massachusetts to extend the program for the next school year. But, the legislation might not pass as state lawmakers scramble to finalize a budget for the fiscal year that begins Friday.

We'll speak with two school officials about what the program did for their districts, which include the Northborough and Southborough Public Schools, as well as a district serving students in Newbury, Rowley and Salisbury.