During National School Breakfast Week, Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted that within just the first six months of the school year, 275 million free school meals have been served in schools statewide. The Governor celebrated this milestone today alongside students and administrators at Albany School of Humanities.

Governor Hochul's Universal School Meals Program, launched earlier this year, ensures that every student in New York State has access to a healthy breakfast and lunch at school, creating more opportunities for students to succeed in school. By eliminating any financial requirements to receive this benefit, New York State has leveled the playing field by taking the burden off of families.

"Today marks a major milestone in our overall affordability agenda, ensuring that New York students are not going hungry while they're at school," Governor Hochul said. "Students do better in the classroom when they're not worried about where their next meal is coming from. In just six months, more than 275 million free school meals have been served - proof that New York is stepping up to support our children's success while bringing down grocery costs for families statewide."

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 year
• Helped 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."

"New York is stepping up to support our children's success while bringing down grocery costs for families statewide."

State Senator Patricia Fahy said, "When kids and students are hungry in our classrooms, they cannot learn. When this federal administration cuts food assistance and earned benefits for working families, it only doubles our resolve to fully fund free, healthy meals for all New York students, regardless of ZIP code. Not only is it good for our students, it's a win-win for our farmers-providing them with access to local schools and enabling their fresh produce and food to be served in our schools. I commend Governor Hochul and my colleagues for fully funding universal school meals in this year's budget and look forward to every New York student having greater access to fresh, nutritious food."

Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas said, "Universal School Meals is about dignity, equity, and putting our children first-and this year alone, the program has already delivered more than 275 million free meals to students across New York. I'm proud to have sponsored this legislation and deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for including it in her budget and helping ensure it became a reality. This achievement reflects years of collaboration with advocates, educators, and families who never stopped fighting to make sure every child has what they need to succeed. This is what it looks like when government works-supporting learning, reducing stigma and easing the burden on working families. Today, we celebrate a policy win that proves New York will always show up for its kids,"

Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero said, "Today's announcement that 275 million free meals have been served in schools across our state so far this year is an exciting, powerful reminder of what's possible when we put our children and families first. This is more than just food. When every child has access to healthy, nutritious meals, they can focus on learning, growing and thriving rather than worrying about where their next meal is coming from. With this investment, we are giving our children the support they deserve to help them show up ready to succeed."

Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs said, "When students have reliable access to healthy meals, they are better prepared to learn, grow and succeed in the classroom. I am grateful for Governor Hochul's leadership in making universal school meals a reality for families across New York. Serving more than 275 million free meals in just the first half of the school year is a huge milestone, and it reflects a commitment to supporting both our students and the families who are working hard to provide for them."

City School District of Albany Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter said, "We are grateful to Governor Hochul not just for her initial support and advocacy for this program, but for her continued efforts to raise awareness and ensure that every student in New York has access to a free, healthy breakfast and lunch at school. We know that children can't learn when they are hungry, and the Governor's focus on this critical issue has been a tremendous boost for schools and families statewide."

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, "National School Breakfast Week serves as a reminder that a simple meal can significantly impact a child's day. Reaching 275 million free breakfasts and lunches in just six months is a remarkable milestone and a testament to the impact of Governor Hochul's Universal School Meals Program. I'm grateful for her leadership; this initiative is helping students succeed while easing the burden on families and making our state more affordable for everyone,"

Contact the Governor's Press Office