Advocates in Albany rally for free school meals

Lawmakers and students are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to fund free school meals for all New York students in next year’s state budget.

Federal waivers that provided free school meals expired back in June.

The group says more than 726,000 students in New York lost access to free meals at school.

“This is a program that reaches every single student across the state. All 2.1 million students would be able to be guaranteed two meals per day every school day if they should want it,” said Liz Accles with Community Food Advocates.

The state does have a program that provides free breakfast and lunch to students – but it is based on eligibility.