As the school year comes to a close, schools and community-based organizations can leverage federal nutrition assistance programs to safeguard kids and teens from summer hunger. This newsletter highlights resources to raise awareness of summer nutrition programs. It also includes immediate next steps for schools to prepare for statewide universal school meals in the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, you can find key strategies to boost food access by maximizing school breakfast, afterschool meals, and SNAP. |
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Spread the Word About Summer Meals and Summer EBT Kids can use summer meals and summer EBT to access nutritious food while school is out, but a lack of awareness leads to many missing out. Please use the resources below to spread the word to parents and caregivers about both programs. ICYMI: Check out our recent Summer EBT 2025 webinar, which featured the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), the state agency that administers Summer EBT in New York. View the recording and slide deck. To learn more about Summer EBT, visit NYS OTDA’s Summer EBT Webpage |
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Prepare for the Inaugural Year of Universal School Meals The NYS Education Department (NYSED) has released guidance for school districts on how to best prepare for the inaugural year of universal school meals. Key actions include: - If a school would like to offer free meals to all students, it must operate the federal school meal programs. Schools must add all programs and buildings to NSLP and/or SBP by July 31. This NYSED guidance provides information about applying to operate the federal school meal programs.
- All eligible schools must participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Current CEP schools must reapply if their cycle is ending or if their ISP has increased. The deadline to apply for CEP has been extended to August 31, 2025.
- All schools not eligible for CEP must apply for Provision 2. Schools not approved to operate CEP must apply for Provision 2 before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Learn more from NYSED Guidance on Provision 2.
NYSED is available to support school districts one-on-one with these steps. Schools are encouraged to reach out as soon as possible to set themselves up for success in the upcoming school year. |
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Key Strategies for the Upcoming 2025-2026 School Year As New York schools transition to serving all students free school breakfast and lunch, the following key strategies can help schools boost food security by maximizing school breakfast, afterschool meals, and SNAP. School leaders can start planning now for September! Strategy #1: Expand access to free school breakfast
Expand student access to free school breakfast with Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC), the breakfast after the bell model that yields the highest participation. Learn more from our recent webinar with NYSED highlighting implementation and accountability. For individualized support, contact Francesca.DiGiorgio@HungerSolutionsNY.org. Strategy #2: Add meals to eligible afterschool enrichment programs
Schools can add afterschool meals by applying for the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Start the process by emailing cacfp@health.ny.gov (use subject: “Outreach Coordinator”) or calling 518-402-7400. Visit AfterschoolMealsNY.org to learn more. For individualized support, contact Kayla.Snyder@hungersolutionsny.org. Strategy #3: Promote SNAP to families using our resources for schools
Schools can help connect eligible families to nutrition assistance through SNAP. Our SNAP Outreach Toolkit for Schools provides outreach resources for schools to share information with families. For individualized support, contact Daniel.Vaughan-Cherubin@HungerSolutionsNY.org ICYMI: Check out our recent webinar, “Offering Free School Meals to All: What’s Next?” to hear more about these strategies and how Syracuse City School District leverages these best practices. View the recording and slide deck. |
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