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Governor's plan to fund universal free school meals wins broad support from advocates and school leaders
Summary
The governor included funding to make breakfast and lunch free statewide. School, health and anti-hunger advocates praised the move, saying it reduces stigma, improves nutrition and eases family costs; lawmakers and school officials urged full funding and urged districts to prepare for increased participation.
A central plank of the governor's education budget proposal won repeated praise in the hearings: funding to make school breakfast and lunch free to every student in participating schools across New York.
Why it matters: Advocates and school officials said universal school meals remove stigma associated with free/reduced programs, increase participation rates and improve diet quality for students who rely on school meals as a primary source of nutrition. Witnesses said increased…
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