Every New York public school student could soon receive free breakfast and lunch under Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2025 budget proposal, which seeks to make universal school meals a reality statewide.
“Children who grow up hungry score lower on tests and underperform academically. It pains me as a mom to think of kids’ stomachs growling while they’re trying to learn,” Hochul said.
The initiative builds on the success of federal pandemic-era programs that provided free school meals but expired in 2022. Hochul’s plan would ensure every student has access to two nutritious meals daily, saving families an estimated $165 per month per child. The state estimates that the program will provide 400 million meals annually.
RELATED: Here are the 10 biggest proposals in Hochul’s 2025 proposed state budget
The proposal addresses concerns about food insecurity, which affects approximately 1 in 7 children in New York, and aims to eliminate the stigma associated with free meals. “No child should feel singled out in the cafeteria,” Hochul emphasized.
The program has drawn praise from education and anti-poverty advocates, who say it will improve academic outcomes, attendance, and student well-being. However, its estimated cost could spark debate in budget negotiations, with lawmakers weighing the program’s benefits against other priorities.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].