Purpose/Objective: To describe the perceived benefits and barriers to move beyond Community Eligibility Provisions (CEP) and initiating Universal Free Meals (UFM) in all districts across the U.S. that choose to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Methods: Cross-sectional survey conducted in 2021 and sent via email to all school foodservice directors in Arkansas. A total of 233 foodservice directors, managers, and administrators responded. Results: More than half (67.9%, n=167) responded that paperwork would be reduced if UFM were implemented, 62.6% (n=154) reported that unpaid meal debt is a concern to the district, 69.5% (n=171) reported that eligibility should be available to all students regardless of income, 61.3% (n=151) reported that providing UFM would make meal service more efficient, and 74.4% (n=183) said that UFM would relieve the work the school has to do to recover unpaid meal debt. Application to Child Nutrition Professionals: Participants reported UFM would be a worthy governmental expenditure, decrease resources necessary for paperwork, and eliminate concerns stemming from unpaid meal debt. Implementing UFM into schools would increase the amount of meals accessed by students therefore increasing school revenue and could decrease the feelings of stigma attached to reduced and free-meal statuses. Child nutrition professionals may need to expand their understanding regarding the perspective of stakeholders such as parents and teachers, to promote UFM and garner support for the meal program.