PROVO (AP) — An increasing number of students in Utah County's three school districts are qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.

In the Provo district, 44 percent of meals were served for free or at a reduced price, up from about 40 percent last year. The Alpine and Nebo districts saw increases of 1 percent to 2 percent.

Other parts of the country also are seeing larger increases in those who qualify for the meal programs, which is based on household income.