Advocates are hoping this year, all kids in the state will be able to receive free school meals.
According to lawmakers, over 80% of children in New York are able to receive free school meals because of funding in last year’s state budget. A bill to make all kids eligible has gained bipartisan support and has been included in this year’s proposed Senate and Assembly budgets.
“We’re putting $200 million in the budget in order to ensure every single school district will get this funding,” explained Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas. “It’s on top of the funding we’ve already allocated so it will fully meet, I think, beyond the need of our budget ask.”
