Governor Hochul today visited Manorhaven Elementary School on Long Island to celebrate the launch of New York’s Universal School Meals Program during the first week of the 2025-26 school year. A cornerstone of the Governor’s affordability agenda, the Universal School Meals Program ensures every single one of New York’s 2.7 million students receive free breakfast and lunch at school, addressing food insecurity in the classroom and driving down costs for families by an average of $165 per kid per month.
“At the center of my affordability agenda, the Universal School Meals Program puts money back in New Yorkers’ pockets by providing every child with free breakfast and lunch in school, no questions asked,” Governor Hochul said. “No kid should go hungry in the classroom, and no parent should have to stretch their budget to pack a lunch. I’m proud that starting this school year, New York is taking that burden off of our families.”
Offering free school meals is a proven and effective way to help keep kids in school and able to focus in the classroom. Additionally, free school meals are estimated to save families $165 per child in grocery spending each month and have been shown to support learning, boost test scores, and improve attendance and classroom behavior…