About the Policy:

Per NYS Education Law Section 915a, Universal Free School Meals:

All school districts, charter schools and non-public schools that participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program (also referred to as School Food Authorities—SFAs) are required to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

NYS reimburses schools for all meals served at the combined state and federal “free” reimbursement rate for the current year.

To maximize federal reimbursements, all SFAs are required to:

Operate either the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), if eligible, or Provision 2
Conduct direct certification at least three times per year to maximize the number of children automatically eligible for federal free meals without an application
Actively promote SNAP to students and their parents

To learn more, visit the NYS Education Department memo on universal school meals and SNAP Outreach Requirements.

Impact of the Policy:

Levels the playing field so all kids can succeed:

Households with children attending schools that provide free meals for all are far less likely to experience food insecurity.
Healthy School Meals for All eliminates social stigma associated with free meals being tied to income, a significant barrier to participation in school meal programs.
Free school meals save families an estimated $165 per child in grocery spending each month.

Advances child health, educational, and racial equity:

Across all income levels kids receive their healthiest meals at school; children receiving school lunches consume more milk, fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers.
Healthy school meals for all supports learning, boosts test scores, and improves attendance and classroom behavior.
Establishing statewide free meals can reduce longstanding and widening racial disparities in nutrition, health, education and achievement.

Supports communities and the economy:

Allows schools to purchase local, high-quality foods and expand farm-to-school.
Eliminates school meal debt, a significant burden for families and school district budgets.
Overall, every dollar invested in school meals provides $2 in health, equity, environmental, and economic benefits.

Our Coalition:

We are a diverse coalition of anti-hunger, education, health, agriculture, and equity-focused organizations; students; parents; school administrators; and other concerned New Yorkers advocating for Healthy School Meals for All NY Kids.

View full list of supporters

Let’s Keep Going

Help us continue the fight against hunger in New York. Sign up for updates and advocacy alerts about programs that help families get the food they need.

STAY INVOLVED »