Governor Hochul Highlights More Than 275 Million Free School Meals Served Across the State

In the first six months of the academic year, New York has:

Delivered more than 275 million free school meals to New York students so far this school yearHelped families statewide save up to $450 million per month on grocery costs

The FY26 Enacted Budget included $340 million for school meals, a $160 million year-to-year increase, requiring all school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools that participate in the national school lunch and breakfast program to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to all students regardless of their families’ income. Under this initiative, the State will pay the student’s share of costs for all meals served to students not already receiving free meals. This historic initiative expands eligibility to an additional 280,000 students who now have access to free school meals.

State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed, and that begins with having access to nutritious meals each day. Through our partnership with Governor Hochul and schools across the state, the State Education Department is proud to administer the Universal School Meals Program, ensuring students arrive in the classroom ready to focus and learn. By providing free breakfast and lunch to every child, we are supporting student well-being, while easing the financial burden on families and strengthening school communities across New York.”

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Our work to bring Universal School Meals to New York is one of the greatest public goods we’ve delivered for students and families. Across the state, this program is succeeding at fighting child hunger, saving families money in weekly grocery costs and making school a place where students can focus on learning and being kids without stigma or shame. Celebrating 275 million meals served so far this school year is an incredible milestone, and I’m proud to have led this historic initiative in the Senate alongside Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, Governor Hochul and our statewide coalition.”