By Dylan Sawhney
In 2025, New York State launched a Universal Lunch Program, giving free lunches to all public schools.
Regardless of income, every student will now receive a free meal. The new policy states that students who purchase a balanced meal with a main item and fruit or vegetables will have the cost reimbursed.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a policy setting aside $340 million for universal lunches. In a social media post, Governor Hochul said, “Kids can’t learn on an empty stomach,” adding that it “makes sense” for students to be able to receive a free lunch.
Many students at Irvington High School are happy about this change and are looking forward to not worrying about the cost of meals.
DJ Ufer, a sophomore at IHS, said, “I feel positive about the free lunches. I don’t have to worry about loading my school account up with money anymore.”
However, not all feedback has been entirely positive. Some students complain that the time it takes to get their lunch has drastically increased.
“I used to get lunch every day within five minutes of getting into the lunchroom, but now it takes me 10–20 minutes. Many days I am starving when I get to my lunch period, and now I have to wait a lot longer,” said Liam Wade, a sophomore at IHS.
Despite these longer wait times, most students believe the program is a step in the right direction. A recent poll conducted at IHS found that nine out of ten students thought the change was both necessary and long overdue.
Teachers and parents have also noted that free lunches can ease stress for families and ensure that students are better prepared to focus in class. While the program will take time to adjust to, the consensus is clear: ensuring every student has access to food is an investment in both education and equity.
Overall, many students and staff believe this policy is a positive shift that the school community should embrace and appreciate.
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