About 300 more Portland children will be eligible to receive free breakfasts at public schools citywide this year, the school district announced this morning.

The eligibility increase comes from a new state law that says any child who qualifies for either free or reduced-cost lunch based on family income will also receive free breakfast.

Before, students who received lunch at a reduced cost had to pay a reduced amount of 30 cents for breakfast. The new law eliminates that charge, which will be reimbursed to the city by the state.

Food Services Director Ron Adams said he estimates about 3,325 of the school district's 7,200 students will qualify for free breakfasts this year.

Adams said that more families may qualify for free lunches this year amid the economic downturn. He encouraged families to fill out the free and reduced lunch application form that children will receive on the first day of school next week.

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