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Governor Kathy Hochul is committed to providing free meals for all students in New York schools. During a visit to Eagle Point Elementary School in Albany, she discussed her plan to subsidize the cost of breakfast and lunch, aiming to combat food insecurity and help families save money. New York currently receives $2 billion in federal funding for school meal programs, but Hochul's proposal will build on this support to ensure every student can access free meals at school.
The governor's plan is part of her 2025 State of the State initiative, which requires all participating schools to provide free meals to students, regardless of their family's income. This initiative is expected to expand eligibility for free meals to nearly 300,000 additional students. Hochul emphasized the importance of this program, stating, "I'm fighting to make school meals free for every student in New York — giving every young person the nourishment they need to thrive in the classroom and putting money back in families’ pockets."
The proposal comes as federal food assistance programs face potential cuts, including threats to the Community Eligibility Provision in the National School Lunch program. Hochul's plan aims to counter these challenges by ensuring that no student goes hungry. According to Governor Hochul, free school meals can save families $165 per child each month and have been shown to improve attendance, test scores, and classroom behavior.
Local leaders and educators have praised the initiative. Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy stated, "By providing free breakfast and lunch, we ensure that students from all backgrounds have equal opportunity to thrive." The plan is expected to take effect in the next school year, ensuring that New York students continue to receive the nutrition they need to succeed.