Get Ready For National School Lunch Week!

National School Lunch Week (NSLW) is next month: October 13-17, 2025! For #NSLW25, we are thrilled to celebrate that all 2.7 million New York students can get free breakfast and lunch every school day. The SY 2025-2026 kicked off the inaugural year of statewide universal free school meals. To gear up for this historic NSLW, schools can:

1. Explore FREE resources from the New York State Education Department (NYSED):

• Use this form to order a variety of posters, bookmarks and more while supplies last. Complete and return to cnspotlight@nysed.gov by September 19.
• Join NYSED for their upcoming webinar: “Promoting National School Lunch Week” which will cover how to promote and expand participation in the National School Lunch Program. When: Thursday, September 18, 1-2 p.m. Register here.

2. Plan your week with the National School Nutrition Association’s NSLW25 collection, featuring activity guides, menu ideas, coloring pages and more.
3. Help us amplify NSLW in New York! Send photos, activities and other ways your school is celebrating to: francesca.digiorgio@hungersolutionsny.org. 
4. Spread the word about universal free school meals to students and families during NSLW with NEW outreach resources:

• Share on social media, using sample social media posts and images. Spanish translations and more images coming soon. 
• Add an announcement to your newsletter, website, emails, and other channels using sample communications language. Spanish translations coming soon.

Governor Hochul Celebrates Universal School Meals 

Governor Hochul visited Manorhaven Elementary School on Long Island to celebrate the launch of New York’s Universal School Meals Program. In Governor Hochul’s remarks, she shared a powerful reminder: "No kid should go hungry in the classroom, and no parent should have to stretch their budget to pack a lunch.” 

ICYMI: Back to School Strategies to Feed More Kids

Universal school meals are a critical step toward ensuring all students are well-nourished and ready to learn. Schools can take additional steps to feed more kids during the 2025-2026 school year. Learn about ways schools can sustain and maximize universal school meals while adding new programs to feed students—both in and out of school.

Thank You for Contributing to a Successful Summer!

In 2025, summer meals were served at thousands of locations across New York State. Nearly 1.5 million children also received Summer EBT, the food benefit program that helps low-income families with school-age children buy groceries.

The deadline to apply for 2025 Summer EBT benefits has passed, but benefits are still being issued. Encourage families to spend their benefits soon. Summer EBT benefits expire 122 days after being issued, so families should use them immediately.

Whether you served summer meals or spread the word about these nutrition programs, thank you for connecting families with critical nutrition while school was out of session!