Kingston, NY – Ulster County Legislators will be calling on New York State representatives to adopt legislation to remove administrative barriers and guarantee universal access to free meals for all students in grades K-12. This important action will impact over 2,000 schools and 800,000 students across the state and will go a long way in addressing food insecurity for children and families.
Resolution No. 493, introduced by Legislator Megan Sperry, and co-sponsored by Chair Bartels and Legislators Criswell, Erner, Hansut, Hewitt, Uchitelle and Walter, calls on the State Legislature to continue the free universal school lunch program provided during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A federal program implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic gave school districts across the nation a waiver to provide free lunch to all students. This program expired in June 2022 again requiring parents and/or caregivers to apply and qualify for free or reduced cost meals for students. In response to the voucher expiration Massachusetts, Nevada and Vermont have adopted legislation to cover the cost of all student meals for the 2022-2023 school year. California and Maine have gone even further adopting legislation to make universal free lunch to students across their states permanent.
“Household food insecurity rates have been significantly increasing since before the pandemic. The expiration of the COVID waiver program has made it very apparent that this issue is no longer a problem that only affects low-income families, middle class families are feeling the impact of rising food costs as well. Every day parents are having to make difficult choices about the quality of food they can provide for their children,” Legislator Sperry (Towns of Esopus & New Paltz – District 17) stated. “Indisputable evidence shows that receiving free or reduced-price school lunches reduces food insecurity, obesity rates, and poor health. School lunch is critical for the health and well-being of students and can ensure that students have the nutrition they need to be productive learners throughout the school day,” she continued.
Chair Tracey Bartels (Towns of Gardiner & Shawangunk – District 16) states, "A universal free lunch program has been an unqualified success throughout the pandemic. It eliminated the stigma associated with free or reduced-fee lunches while providing for families who might not have otherwise qualified.” Chair Bartels adds, “The state program will create hunger-free schools throughout Ulster County and ensure that all students receive the nutritionally balanced meals they need to thrive in the classroom. Access to a healthy meal is just as important as access to textbooks and bus service. We do not provide books and bus rides to school based on a family's financial ability to pay; access to nutritious meals should be no different.”
Ulster County parent Cheryl Byron added, “As a full-time working parent in a two-income household, I understand firsthand the financial challenges many families in our area face. During the recent pandemic, the program allowing for no-cost meals at school alleviated one of those challenges. I had the peace of mind that no matter what happened, my child and others would at the very least, be fed nutritious food. With the ending of many relief programs, including no-cost lunch and student loan repayment pause, coupled with rising cost of living, myself and other Ulster County families have a lot to worry about. Despite mindful planning, itemized budgets, an emergency fund, and the best intentions, my household is only one unfortunate incident away from financial insecurity, and I know we are not alone in this. I ask our Legislators to please give hard-working families like mine, the peace of mind that no-cost school lunch would provide.”
A 2022 report - Addressing Food Insecurity in Ulster County, spearheaded by Legislature Vice Chair Eve Walter (Town & Village of New Paltz – District 20), described “Food insecurity, defined as having reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet (low food security), or having multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake (very low food insecurity) is recognized as the primary social determinant of health.” The report further identified evidence that child hunger is associated with a variety of health risks and preventable disease, deficiencies in cognitive development and behavior problems. Additionally, correlations between childhood hunger and effects on scholastic truancy, absenteeism, scholastic performance, and behavioral issues are well documented.
Feeding America reports one in ten people, and one in seven children in New York State face hunger, with 12% of Ulster County residents and 17% of Ulster County children reported as being food insecure.
Legislator Gina Hansut (Towns of Lloyd & Marlborough – District 10) stated, “I am in support of free school lunch for all students. Having worked for nearly 20 years in the public school system, I see the importance of this resolution. First, it allows for a decrease in food insecurity, while meeting nutritional guidelines and promoting healthy eating habits and choices. The meals provide equity for all students, regardless of their family’s situation. Secondly, the decrease in administration paperwork etc. allows for better use of time for the food service workers. Free lunch for all allows a social environment as a mealtime in a cohesive setting - building relationships without judgement, especially as the students get older. For some students, it is the only hot meal they will have in a day. During the pandemic, when all students received free meals, it truly worked with positive physical, social, and psychological results for all.”
The estimated annual cost to provide breakfast and lunch to every K-12 student in New York would be $200 million or 0.09% of the state’s annual budget. A number of state lawmakers and educators called on the Governor to address this issue by funding the implementation of a universal school meals program in the 2023 state budget. Regrettably the initiative was not included. With the White House unveiling an $8 Billion dollar commitment to address hunger, nutrition and health across the nation, there is renewed optimism that the state may be open to action.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, a local organization delivering community-based education and support to Ulster County families, including food and nutrition education and emergency food assistance offered, “Universal free school meals would be a critical support for thousands of students and families in Ulster County and across the state. With high costs of living in New York State and food costs continuing to rise, many families that currently don’t qualify for free or reduced-price school meals still struggle to feed their families. Furthermore, universal free school meals reduce administrative burden for school food service administrators and, as shown during the pandemic, leads to consistently higher meal participation. Universal free school meals result in more students fed school meals, less stressed caregivers, and food service administrators with less paperwork and more freedom to invest in their meal programs with equipment, recipe development, and farm to school programs.”
“The free school lunch program is a win-win for schools, parents and most of all the students. These programs will have long-term impacts that will benefit our communities for years to come,” Sperry concluded.
Resolution No. 493 was unanimously adopted by the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Economic Development, Planning, Employment, Education, Arts & Agriculture on Tuesday, October 4th. It is anticipated that the Health, Human Services & Housing Committee will pass the Resolution at their meeting on Friday, October 7th. The full Legislature will consider the measure at their monthly Legislative Session on Tuesday, October 18th. Full text of the Resolution can be accessed by clicking HERE. Legislative Session will be available via Livestream at https://livestream.com/accounts/1512750/events/1824203.
