The scheme covers 30,000 pupils in primary years P1 to P3, aged between four and seven, in the Borders, East Ayrshire, Fife, Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire.
The universal free meals scheme aims to promote social inclusion and improve children's health, and it is hoped to increase school attendance and achievement. The pilot will be evaluated to monitor any changes in children's attitudes and behaviour, any uptake in school lunches by the pupils taking part, and any practical issues for councils and schools that are flagged up by the scheme's implementation.
The cost of extending the scheme across the country has been estimated at up to £46m.
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