Some state lawmakers and other community leaders are calling for free meals in schools to be added to the next New York State budget.
The federal program that provided free meals in schools during the coronavirus pandemic expired, impacting hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. State Senator Michelle Hinchey’s Healthy School Meals For All bill would provide free breakfast and lunch in schools.
“If a child is hungry, they can not pay attention in school. It impacts their social and mental well being and they won’t be as successful.”
She says the program would cost 200 million dollars, or 275 dollars per student annually. The goal she says is to get it included in the next budget.