Assemblyman Avi Schnall is pleased to announce a significant expansion in the free school lunch program for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Thanks to an increase in income eligibility limits and federal changes, thousands of additional children across the state will now have access to free, nutritious meals at school.

Under the new provisions, the income eligibility limit has been raised from 199% of the federal poverty line to 224%. This crucial increase will allow many more families to qualify for free school lunches, ensuring that more children than ever before can receive the nutrition they need to succeed academically.

For the first time, students who attend private schools will also benefit from this expanded program. This inclusion marks a milestone in ensuring that all students, regardless of the type of school they attend, have access to the same opportunities for healthy meals.

In addition to these changes, any student who is eligible for Medicaid will now be automatically enrolled in the free school lunch program. This will streamline access to free meals for families, removing barriers and simplifying the process for those in need.

Moreover, the expanded eligibility will enable many schools to qualify for the Community Eligibility Program (CEP). Once a school reaches a certain threshold of students eligible for free lunches, the entire school will automatically qualify, ensuring that no child in that school is left without a meal. This not only provides broad relief to families but also eliminates the stigma often associated with receiving free lunches.

These important changes were made possible by legislation signed last year, and they have now been fully funded in this year’s state budget. Assemblyman Schnall worked diligently with fellow legislators and community advocates to ensure this expansion would become a reality for the 2024-2025 school year.

“I am thrilled to see the impact these changes will have on the well-being and academic success of children throughout our state,” said Assemblyman Schnall. “Access to healthy meals should never be a barrier to a child’s education, and this expansion will help ensure that every child, regardless of income or school, has the fuel they need to learn and thrive.”