Congressional lawmakers are pushing for an expansion of the free lunch program for children in their latest initiative.
The proposed legislation aims to provide free meals throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack, without considering income levels. Additionally, it seeks to increase access to free meals during the summer months while also eradicating school meal debt.
The Rush-Henrietta School District, like many others in the state, provides free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack to its students every day. However, not all schools have implemented this initiative.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) recently visited Rush-Henrietta Senior High School to discuss the advantages it offers. She joined local school leaders in highlighting the positive impact of the institution.
In an exciting announcement, Senator Gillibrand shared that in New York, an incredible 80% of students now have the privilege of accessing free school meals. This remarkable feat has been made possible through the allocation of over $130 million in funding as part of last year’s spending plans. It is truly heartening to see such a significant investment being made in the well-being and nutrition of our students.
Governor Kathy Hochul has allocated $134 million to provide free school lunches, although there are concerns that this may not be sufficient according to some advocacy groups. Moreover, certain school districts find themselves in a somewhat ambiguous position as they do not fully meet the eligibility criteria set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to receive federal funding for free meals.
Supporters of the new bill argue that it will result in improved attendance rates and a reduction in behavioral incidents.
