The government last year invited local authorities in deprived areas to bid to run the pilots, which are intended to gather evidence on the benefits of free school meals in cutting obesity and improving behaviour.
Durham and Newham, in east London, will provide free meals to all primary school children, while Wolverhampton will pilot an extension to the current eligibility criteria for free school meals.
A further 7,800 pupils in Wolverhampton are expected to be able to claim free school meals as a result of the extension to the eligibility criteria, which will be based on household income.
The Department of Health and the Department of Children, Families and Schools are jointly providing £20 million to fund the pilots, with the chosen local authorities matching this money.
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