New York's universal school-meals program provides breakfast and lunch without an income test for students at participating schools, while families may still be asked to complete household forms used for funding and other benefits.
The state Education Department's 2026-27 Provision 2 parent letter says children at those schools receive meals at no charge regardless of household income or whether families complete an application. It encourages families to return the form because the information helps determine state and federal funding and program benefits.
Why schools still collect household information
The state's universal meals guidance requires schools to maximize federal reimbursement through the Community Eligibility Provision, when eligible, or Provision 2. State payments bring federal reimbursement for reduced-price and paid meals up to the combined state and federal free-meal rate.
The law covers school districts, charter schools and nonpublic schools participating in the federal school lunch and breakfast programs. Participating schools provide breakfast and lunch without charging students, regardless of family income.
Families with questions about a form or their school's meal service can contact the school's food-service office.
State budget maintains meal access
Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday that New York will continue fully funding free school meals despite federal food-assistance cuts. Her announcement points to $395 million already included in the enacted fiscal 2027 state budget, an increase of $55 million from the previous year.
The universal program began last school year and gives about 2.7 million students access to free meals. State officials estimate schools serve roughly 2.5 million meals each school day and have served about 75 million since classes began in September.
The administration estimates families can save up to $1,600 per child annually on groceries.
Hochul's office said changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under federal legislation enacted last year have contributed to declining free-meal participation in other states. It said New York's funding commitment will preserve schools' ability to offer free meals.
The governor criticized President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans over the food-assistance changes. Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas said universal meals help families facing grocery costs and give children dependable access to breakfast and lunch. State Sen. Michelle Hinchey said the program also helps students eat at school without stigma.
The Education Department provides school-meal program information for families and school food-service providers.
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