New York Governor Proposes Free Meals for All Students in School

New York could soon join the growing list of states offering universal school meals. On January 10, 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced her proposal to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students across the state. The initiative builds on the Community Eligibility Provisions (CEP) program, aiming to provide 2.7 million students with free nutritious meals regardless of household income. If enacted, this initiative will not only promote success in school but also ease financial burdens on families statewide.

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What universal school meals mean for New York students

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In her State of the State address, Governor Hochul introduced her initiative for universal school meals at Westbury Middle School in Long Island, a district that has benefited first-hand from the transformative effects of free meals on families and student outcomes. The initiative is a key part of her 2025 agenda to make New York more affordable.

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The program would allocate $180 million from the FY 2025 Enacted Budget to encourage eligible schools to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. This would allow schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of their household income.

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The initiative is expected to expand free meal eligibility to nearly 300,000 additional students, bringing the total to 2.7 million students statewide. Families could save an estimated $165 per child in monthly grocery costs.

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While New York already offers free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program, only students from households meeting specific income thresholds are eligible. Many families who don’t qualify still face challenges affording nutritious meals.

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Universal school meals would close this gap, ensuring all students in New York have access to free, USDA-compliant breakfasts and lunches packed with essential vitamins and minerals—at no additional cost to families.

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The positive impact of universal school meals

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Universal school meals have the power to address childhood food insecurity while improving academic performance and overall health. Studies consistently show that students who start their day with a nutritious meal are more attentive, focused, and engaged in the classroom. As Governor Hochul emphasized, “The research is clear: good food in the lunchroom creates good grades in the classroom.”

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Beyond academics, nutritious meals play a critical role in children’s health. Balanced diets reduce the risks of obesity and chronic illnesses such as heart disease. Highlighting this, Governor Hochul stated, “Children who do not have proper food, they have food insecurity. It affects them later in life. They’re more likely to suffer from heart disease as adults. They score lower on standardized tests. […] This can no longer be tolerated—not in America and definitely not in the great state of New York. No more.”

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Families also stand to benefit financially from this initiative, saving an estimated $165 per child each month—funds that parents can allocate elsewhere. “I can use that money that we save on meals to cover essentials like gas, utilities, even a pair of new shoes for my son. And he goes through a lot of new sneakers," said one Long Island resident, Isabella Lomax, in an interview, highlighting how the program can help her family’s finances.

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Moreover, universal meals help eliminate the stigma often associated with free or reduced-price lunch programs. With all students receiving free meals, no child will feel singled out for their family’s financial situation. Governor Hochul addressed this issue directly, saying, “Life is hard enough for our kids these days, so I don’t want them to have the stigma when they get a reduced-price lunch or a free meal. And they shouldn’t have to choose from going hungry or being embarrassed among their peers and their friends.”

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By addressing these challenges, universal school meals can transform the lives of New York’s students and families, setting them up for healthier and more successful futures.

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Universal School Meals in New York—A win for child nutrition

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Governor Hochul’s proposal sparks hope in educators and nutrition advocates. Many praised her bold initiative, highlighting New York’s potential leadership in addressing child nutrition. As Andrés J. Vives, CEO of Hunger Solutions New York, put it, Hochul has “made it clear New York will lead the way in ensuring all children have access to the food they need to thrive.”

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Vives commended the proposal, stating “We applaud the Governor’s championing of this historic investment and look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure this proposal is included in the final budget.”

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If approved, New York will join eight other states—California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont—in offering universal school meals. This would be a major milestone for child nutrition and set a strong example for other states, ensuring every student has access to healthy, nutritious meals for academic success and overall well-being.

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Ensure students eat healthy, nutritious meals in school with Ordo

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Prioritizing child nutrition positively impacts not just student outcomes but also families, schools, and communities. Ensure students get the nutrition they need to succeed in the classroom and later in life with Ordo. Providing healthy school meals, we help schools make a lasting impact in child nutrition affordably.

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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. We’ve worked with some of the top brands in early education and child care, including Guidepost Montessori, Bright Horizons, Primrose, and more.

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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.