ALBANY, N.Y. — A plan was introduced on Friday by Governor Kathy Hochul that aims to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student across New York state.

If passed by the state’s lawmakers, this initiative would benefit more than 2.7 million students regardless of their family’s financial status, according to the Democratic governor.

Currently, students in New York can access free or reduced-price meals through a federal program which is based on family income. This new proposal would eliminate any income thresholds, thus extending free meals to an additional 300,000 children in the state, as reported by her office.

During a news conference, Hochul emphasized the challenges that children face today, explaining the detrimental effects of being identified as needing subsidized meals. “When a child is singled out for receiving assistance, it creates unnecessary stigma,” she remarked.

“I don’t want our kids to continually bear the weight of that stigma when picking up a reduced-price lunch or free meal. They shouldn’t be forced to choose between hunger and embarrassment among their peers,” she added.

Several states have implemented their own universal school meal programs, and New York City, being the largest school district in the nation, also provides free breakfast and lunch for its student population.
Leaders within the New York Legislature have shown their support for the expansion of free meals in the state. This week, Carl Heastie, the Democratic speaker of the state Assembly, voiced that the program should be broadened. State Senate leaders have echoed similar sentiments regarding the proposed measures.
This initiative aligns with a broader set of economic proposals that Hochul has been presenting to tackle the high cost of living in the state during this legislative session. Other suggested measures include increasing the state’s child tax credit and issuing “Inflation Refund” checks of up to $500 to residents.