National School Lunch Program
Breakfast After the Bell in SY 25-26
All public elementary or secondary schools with at least seventy percent or more of its students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the federal National School Lunch Program are required to offer all students a school breakfast after the instructional day has begun, “Breakfast After the Bell”. The schools meeting 70 percent free and reduced price is determined annually by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) based upon data submitted through the basic educational data system (BEDS) for the prior school year.
Reminder: Updated Nutrition Standards - Implementation by 7/1/25
Waiver Approval Notification: Annual Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Deadline
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has received approval to waive the statutory and regulatory requirements at Section 11(a)(1)(F)(x)(I) of the NSLA (42 U.S.C. 1759a) and at 7 CFR 245.9(f)(4)(i) for SY 2025-2026, that require LEAs electing CEP for the subsequent school year to notify their State agency by June 30. This waiver allows NYSED to extend the deadline for School Food Authorities (SFAs) to apply for CEP for the 2025-2026 school year to August 31, 2025.
This extension will ensure SFAs have ample time to assess their CEP status and apply for CEP participation.
25-26 P2 Base Year: Income Eligibility Guidelines, Application, and Related Information
This memorandum announces the Provision 2 base year income eligibility guidelines for the 2025-2026 school year and provides each School Food Authority (SFA) with the forms and guidance needed to process applications for free and reduced-price meals.
Changes to Recipient Agency Application Submission Window
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is implementing an important update to the application process for new Recipient Agency (RA) applications. Effective immediately, new RA applications will only be accepted once per year, aligning with the submission window for new School Food Authority (SFA) applications.
Bedner Growers, Inc. Recalls Cucumbers Because of Possible Health Risk
The full notice can be found here
Company Announcement
SY 25-26 Program Operations
*This is a consolidated list of information available on the website regarding program operations for school year 2024-2025 Program operations. Recent updates will be noted by the asterisk (*).
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.
Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods
The purpose of this memorandum is to remind schools, sponsors, and institutions participating in any U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Program (CNP), including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), Special Milk Program for Children (SMP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), of the many ways they can purchase local foods to serve in Program meals.
Buy American: Provision, Exceptions, and Accommodation
Buy American Requirement
School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or School Breakfast Program (SBP) must follow the Buy American Provision found in Program regulations 7 CFR 210.21(d) and 7 CFR 220.16(d), respectively.
