Governor Hochul Celebrates Universal School Meals Program in Effect During First Week of 2025-26 Academic School Year

Governor Hochul today visited Manorhaven Elementary School on Long Island to celebrate the launch of New York's Universal School Meals Program during the first week of the 2025-26 school year. A cornerstone of the Governor's affordability agenda, the Universal School Meals Program ensures every single one of New York's 2.7 million students receive free breakfast and lunch at school, addressing food insecurity in the classroom and driving down costs for families by an average of $165 per kid per month.

"At the center of my affordability agenda, the Universal School Meals Program puts money back in New Yorkers' pockets by providing every child with free breakfast and lunch in school, no questions asked," Governor Hochul said. "No kid should go hungry in the classroom, and no parent should have to stretch their budget to pack a lunch. I'm proud that starting this school year, New York is taking that burden off of our families."

Offering free school meals is a proven and effective way to help keep kids in school and able to focus in the classroom. Additionally, free school meals are estimated to save families $165 per child in grocery spending each month and have been shown to support learning, boost test scores, and improve attendance and classroom behavior.

State Senator Shelley Mayer said, "The start of a new school year is an exciting time for students, families, and our school communities. As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I am proud that this year, New York's children can head back to school focused on learning, growing, and enjoying their time in the classroom, without facing hunger during school or social exclusion. For too many in my district and across the state, rising costs and reduced federal support have placed burdens on their families. I thank Governor Hochul and my colleagues in the Senate for their unwavering commitment to ensuring every child has access to school meals and the resources they need to thrive."

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "Our work to bring free breakfast and lunch to every student in every school across New York State is one of the greatest public goods we've secured for children and families. Universal School Meals has the power to transform a student's daily experience, making school a place where kids can focus on learning and growing without stigma or shame, while creating real financial savings for parents that can support other family needs. I am deeply proud to sponsor the Universal School Meals Act and to have led this historic initiative in the Senate alongside Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, Governor Hochul, and our statewide coalition of partners."

Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas said, "As our students returned to school this week, I reflected on how grateful I am to have worked alongside the Healthy School Meals for All NY Kids coalition to pass Universal School Meals. I am deeply appreciative of the Governor's commitment to this and the unwavering support of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Senator Michelle Hinchey. In New York, our children come first, and ensuring they are well-nourished during the school year is essential. Achieving this was no small feat-we worked tirelessly with advocates, unions and colleagues for years to make it happen. Now children will be well nourished in school and parents do not have to choose between paying rent or covering the cost of school meals. At a time when education is under attack and social services are being stripped away, I'm proud that New York remains vigilant in protecting and supporting our children."

"No kid should go hungry in the classroom, and no parent should have to stretch their budget to pack a lunch."

Nassau County Minority Leader and Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton said, "No child should ever go hungry in America - and by providing free breakfast and lunch for 2.7 million schoolchildren, New York State is demonstrating its commitment to helping children and families. I thank Governor Hochul for leading the way and implementing a vital initiative that will improve public health, boost academic performance, and put money back into the pockets of Nassau County's hard-working families all throughout the 2025-26 school year."

Town of North Hempstead Councilmember Mariann Dalimonte said, "Making sure every child has access to healthy meals at school is not just good policy, it's the right thing to do. I applaud Governor Hochul for championing Universal School Meals, which will help relieve financial pressure on families and ensure that our students are focused on learning, not hunger. This is a tremendous investment in both the well-being and the success of our children."

Port Washington School District Superintendent Dr. Guarav Passi said, "We are grateful to Governor Hochul for making universal school meals a reality for our students. This program not only ensures that every child is nourished and ready to learn, but it also reduces a significant financial burden for families. When students have access to healthy meals, they can focus on what matters most; thriving in the classroom."

The FY26 Enacted Budget included $340 million for school meals, a $160 million year-to-year increase, and requires 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. The Governor's 2025 State of the State initiative thereby reduces costs for families and ensures no student goes hungry at school. Under this initiative, the State will pay the student's share of costs for all meals served to students not already receiving free meals, expanding eligibility for free meals to roughly 280,000 additional students.

Contact the Governor's Press Office