New York State announces Universal Free Meals in Schools

New York joins the list of states offering universal school meals to all public school students. Starting this fall, families will no longer need to meet income requirements or complete applications—every one of New York’s 2.7 million students will automatically receive free breakfast and lunch.

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On April 29, Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers finalized New York’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, totalling 254 billion. Of that, $340 million has been dedicated to funding universal school meals. By covering the cost of meals statewide, this initiative aims to ease financial strain on families while promoting student health and academic success.

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This move reflects Gov. Hochul’s steadfast commitment to feeding all students from different household backgrounds, a priority she first announced in January and reaffirmed in March following concerns about potential funding cuts. With this decision, New York becomes the ninth state to adopt universal free school meals, joining California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont.

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What universal free school meals in New York entail

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The newly approved state funding builds on the $2 billion New York already receives each year in federal support for school meals. The additional $340 million incentivizes more schools to join the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, which allows schools with high percentages of low-income students to serve free school meals to all, regardless of family income.

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With more schools participating in CEP, nearly 300,000 more public school students will now receive free breakfast and lunch at no extra cost to families. This expansion is expected to save families up to $1,600 per child annually—money they can instead use for rent, groceries, or other essentials.

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This effort is part of the state’s broader initiative to ease the financial burden on working families amid rising prices and inflation. As Gov. Hochul said during her budget announcement, “Parents shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent and making sure their child eats at school.”

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How universal school meals work in schools

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All students enrolled in New York public schools now qualify for free breakfast and lunch—no matter their household income. Even those who weren’t previously eligible will now receive school meals every day. This statewide effort will feed 2.7 million children, 60% of whom come from low-income families.

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Parents no longer need to apply or submit documentation. There are no forms to fill out, no income thresholds to meet—their children only need to be enrolled to receive free meals.

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Schools also benefit from a simplified process. They no longer need to screen students for eligibility. Instead, funding will be allocated directly to schools based on total enrollment, ensuring they have the resources to serve every student. Schools already participating in the CEP will continue doing so, with state funds covering any shortfall.

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Impact on students, families, and schools in New York

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Universal school meals offer wide-reaching benefits for students, families, and school systems alike.

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For students

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Many research studies support the positive impact of free school meals on students. Eating breakfast alone is shown to improve students’ focus and boost their energy, making them more attentive and engaged in the classroom. Over time, this leads to better attendance, stronger academic performance, and greater participation in extracurricular activities.

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Beyond academics, access to free, nutritious meals supports healthy development and helps reduce long-term health risks like obesity and heart disease. Schools that have already implemented universal school meals have seen a decrease in childhood obesity—a promising sign for New York, where 40% of public school students are classified as overweight or obese.

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Additionally, by making free meals available to everyone, the program also removes the stigma often associated with subsidized lunch, encouraging more students to eat healthy meals at school rather than go hungry.

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For families

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For families, this means having additional spending money for essentials. With grocery bills lowered by an estimated $165 per child, households can redirect that money toward other essentials. Combined with other key social programs in New York, such as the tripled child tax credit and inflation refund relief payments, families could save as much as $5,000 per year.

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For schools

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The program reduces schools’ administrative burden. Staff no longer need to collect and track income eligibility forms or deal with unpaid lunch debt. By streamlining operations and reducing paperwork, schools can reallocate time and resources to other student-focused initiatives.

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Satisfy New York kids’ nutritional needs with delicious meals from Ordo

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New York's move to implement universal free school meals is a major step toward ending childhood hunger in schools. But its impact goes even further—addressing food insecurity, closing funding gaps, and easing the financial pressure on families. It’s a win for public health, education, and equity across the state.

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What’s crucial now is to ensure these meals reach every student, minimize food waste, and serve nutritious meals that students would appreciate. Here’s where Ordo can help. As a trusted food service provider for schools and families, we deliver meals that fuel student success—fresh, balanced, and designed to help kids thrive in the classroom.

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Ordo has become America's fastest-growing school food program, providing fresh meals made from scratch every day in our kitchens. Our chefs focus on cooking homestyle food that’s both nutritious and what students love. Healthy meals result in better student outcomes, and administrators who invest in their nutrition programs invest in their schools.

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Students and parents can place their orders through their ordering app and choose from seasonal menus with 4 to 6 options daily, like Tex Mex Crunch Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing or Chicken Bacon Wrap with Pretzels, Carrots & Ranch.

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Our online platform automates compliance paperwork for reimbursable meals, tracks essential metrics like daily participation rate, and handles all payment and order processing. Ordo offers both vended meal service, where we deliver the food every day, and onsite food service management, where our chefs prepare food on campus. We have served all types of schools, from preschools and daycare centers to private and public schools.

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If you’re interested in providing fresh, healthy food for your school, you can reach out to the school partnerships team here.