ALBANY, N.Y. — On Friday, Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a bold initiative aimed at providing every student in New York with free breakfast and lunch in school.
If approved by lawmakers, this initiative would benefit over 2.7 million students across the state, irrespective of their family’s income levels.
Currently, New York students have access to free or reduced-price meals through a federal assistance program that takes income into account.
Hochul’s initiative seeks to eliminate these income restrictions, effectively allowing an additional 300,000 children to receive free meals, as noted by her office.
During a news conference, the governor emphasized the importance of eliminating the stigma associated with subsidized meals, stating, “To be singled out and your classmates know that you are the one who has to get subsidized help for your meals, that’s a mark on you. Our kids don’t need that, right?”
She continued, highlighting that children face enough challenges today without the added burden of feeling embarrassed about their meal status.
The governor added that no child should have to choose between suffering hunger and experiencing embarrassment among their peers.
Currently, at least eight states have implemented their own universal school meals programs, with New York City providing free meals to its students as part of its offerings in the largest school district in the nation.
Legislative leaders in New York have shown strong support for the expansion of free school meals.
Carl Heastie, the Democratic Assembly Speaker, expressed that the state should enhance the program, noting that his conference is “deeply supportive” of the initiative.
Additionally, leaders in the State Senate have also voiced their backing for similar measures.
This announcement aligns with Hochul’s ongoing efforts to roll out various economic measures designed to combat the high cost of living in New York during the present legislative session.
Among other initiatives, these economic proposals also include plans to expand the state’s child tax credit and provide residents with “Inflation Refund” checks valued up to $500.
