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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Office of P-20 Education Policy
Child Nutrition Program Administration
89 Washington Avenue, Room 375 EBA, Albany, NY 12234
Phone: (518) 473-8781 Fax: (518) 473-0018
To: 
School Food Service Directors/Managers
From: 
Child Nutrition Program Administration
Date: 
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Subject: 
New York State Universal Free Meals

New York State Universal Free Meals

The 2025-2026 Executive Budget amended New York State Education Law by adding Section 915a Universal Free School Meals. Beginning in school year 2025-2026, New York State School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the federal school lunch and/or breakfast programs are required to provide reimbursable school meals at no cost to all students. The state will reimburse SFAs up to the combined state and federal reimbursement rate for a free meal for each federally reimbursed reduced-price and paid meal claimed.

Schools and districts not currently enrolled in federal meal programs must apply to the New York State Education Department, Office of Child Nutrition by July 31, 2025, to participate in the 2025-2026 school year to provide free school meals.

Technical Assistance

The Office of Child Nutrition will provide guidance and technical assistance directly to SFAs during this transition. A webinar has been scheduled for June 5, 2025, at 1:00pm. Please call 518-473-8781 or email your CN representative for additional assistance.

Maximize Federal Reimbursement

The Universal Free School Meals Program requires SFAs to maximize federal reimbursement by operating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), if eligible, or Provision 2. Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCIs) without day students can continue to operate standard counting and claiming as all students already receive free meals. RCCIs with day students must operate Provision 2.

SFAs must immediately determine what actions are needed to maximize federal reimbursement for the 2025-2026 school year:

For recipient agencies/school buildings (RAs) currently operating in CEP: Reapply for CEP if RA Individual Student Percentages (ISPs) based on April 1, 2025, enrollment result in a higher CEP ISP(s).

For RAs potentially eligible to operate CEP: Apply for CEP if a CEP ISP(s) of at least 25% can be obtained.

For RAs not eligible to operate CEP: Apply to operate Provision 2.

Maximize the Number of Children Eligible for Federal Free Meals

SFAs are required to conduct the Direct Certification Matching Process at least three times a year and designate children eligible for free meals (other source categorically eligible) who are siblings or household members of SNAP or Medicaid recipients, or who are foster, homeless, migrant, runaway, or HeadStart/Evenstart participating children.

Promotion of SNAP

SFAs must actively promote the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to students and their parents. Further guidance on how to fulfill this requirement is currently being developed and will be provided once available.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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