Free Breakfast and Lunch Coming to All New York Students This Fall

As the new academic year approaches, students across New York State will return to schools offering free breakfast and lunch for all, regardless of family income. The move comes after Governor Kathy Hochul approved a state budget in May that allocates $340 million to expand access to school meals.

Under the new policy, all public school districts, charter schools, and non-public schools that participate in the federal school lunch and breakfast programs must now provide meals at no cost to every student.

The initiative is expected to benefit more than 2.7 million children across the state.

“Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach,” Governor Hochul wrote in a recent post on social media. She added that offering free school meals “just makes sense.”

Public reaction to the announcement has been mixed. Supporters praised the move as a common-sense investment in children’s education and well-being.

“Thank you, Governor,” one commenter wrote. “If kids are required to attend school, they should be provided meals while they’re there.”

Others, however, voiced concerns about the program’s cost, noting that the funding ultimately comes from taxpayers.

“There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” one user remarked.

Despite the debate, the policy marks a shift in statewide efforts to combat childhood hunger in schools.

Fruit farms, such as those in the towns of Appleton, Burt, Gasport, and Newfane employ

Free Breakfast and Lunch Coming to All New York Students This Fall