More than 275 million free breakfasts and lunches have been served to students across New York during the first six months of the school year, state officials said Wednesday.
Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted the milestone while visiting the Albany School of Humanities during National School Breakfast Week.
The meals are part of New York’s Universal School Meals Program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of family income.
Officials said the program serves about 2.7 million students statewide.
The initiative was funded through the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget, which included $340 million for school meals. That amount represents a $160 million increase from the previous year.
Under the program, the state pays the student share of meal costs for children who were not already eligible for free meals.
State officials estimate the program helps families save up to $450 million per month on grocery costs.
The expansion also made an additional 280,000 students eligible for free school meals.
State education officials say the program aims to improve student well-being and help children focus in the classroom by ensuring they have access to daily meals at school.
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