Governor Hochul wants to bring universal free school meals to New York

Universal free school meals continue to be in the spotlight at the state level this week with both New York and Oklahoma looking to expand free school meal access for students. 

Here’s the latest in school nutrition legislation. 

New York Governor embraces universal free school meals

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is hoping to make universal free school meals a reality in the state. 

Governor Hochul announced the initiative during her State of the State address. If enacted, it would provide free breakfast and lunch each day at school to the over 2.7 million students in the state. 

“The research is clear: good food in the lunchroom creates good grades in the classroom,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “I'm proposing free school meals for every student in New York – giving kids the sustenance they need and putting more money back in parents' pockets.”

If implemented, New York would join a handful of states who have introduced universal free school meals, including California, Maine and others. 

States that have implemented universal free school meals have seen growing participation and operators in those states have reworked their menus, staff and more to handle the influx of students. 

Oklahoma bill would expand free school meal access 

A new bill in Oklahoma would expand universal free school meal access in the state. Introduced by Senator Hicks, SB 28, would require schools to provide free meals to all students from households with incomes less than 250% of the federal poverty level.  

The Department of Education would oversee the allocation of funds for the program. 

Oklahoma lawmakers tried to pass a similar bill last year but it never made it to the governor’s desk.