BUFFALO (AP) -- New York state has been chosen to be part of a pilot program meant to ensure that low-income children receive free meals at school.

The state Education Department says New York is one of six states selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the program that will connect low-income children with free school meals automatically based on information received from Medicaid.

The program initially will be tried at 353 schools in New York City beginning in the 2012-13 school year.

The other states chosen for the program are Alaska, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

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