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School life is where we make the best memories, and we bet every student would agree. From the first day to the nostalgic farewell, the journey remains special for many reasons.
Besides study buddies and playmates, school life also reminds us of the sheer joy during meal times. Sharing a bite of food with your best friends is the perfect moment ever. From home cooked meals to school lunches, the time of the break is remembered as the most special day even today.
Unfortunately, the concept of home-packed lunches is a myth for many, and the ability to afford school meals is quite crippling for some families across the globe. The U.S. has set an example by providing low-cost or free lunches to eligible students since 1946 through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
New York School Students Gear Up For Free School Meals
We are talking about the collaborative efforts of the Community Food Advocates and Hunger Solutions New York, which prompted the government to implement universally free school meals for the 2025-26 academic year.
School students and their families in New York have received a major relief following the announcement.
For the unversed, the National School Lunch Act of 1946 was the first attempt by the United States of America at providing low-cost or even free school lunches to qualified students using subsidies undertaken by the school.
This move inspired many other countries later to adopt the scheme of providing free meals at school to students who otherwise cannot afford one separately.
What’s In For The Students Getting Free Meals At School?
This decision, undertaken by the New York State Department of Education, is tantamount to a highly successful investment affecting about 2.7 million school-going students.
They will all have access to free school breakfast and lunch, as well as an occasional after-school meal, regardless of their family income status. The new step has created a special balance between curbing childhood hunger while still maintaining an optimum family budget.
Liz Accles, the executive director of Community Food Advocates, recently shared her vision behind taking this giant decision that would help so many students and their families. In her words “It means that school meals are just like anything else in a public school system: They’re available to everyone.”
The Parents’ Verdict On Students And Free Meals
With the new policy in place, there has been considerable speculation and discussion surrounding it on the internet. However, the parents and wards of these school-going students have actually highlighted how crucial the move has been.
According to reports, nearly 87% of parents have wholeheartedly agreed to the development of statewide universal school meals.
In fact, even school professionals believe that providing food to students in school can improve their academic performance and help them stay focused.