The 2025-2026 Executive Budget amended New York State Education Law, adding a new Section 915-a, “Universal Free School Meals.” Beginning this 2025-2026 school year, and continuing each school year thereafter, districts who are New York State School Food Authorities, participating in the federal school lunch and/or breakfast programs, are required to provide school meals (breakfast and lunch) at no cost to all students.

For each school meal served, New York State will reimburse the School Food Authorities the difference between (a) the combined state and federal reimbursement rate for a reduced-price or paid meal, respectively, for the current school year, and (b) the combined state and federal reimbursement rate for a free meal for the current school year, provided that the total reimbursement rate for each meal served is equal to the combined state and federal reimbursement rate for a free meal for the current school year.

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