During its last session, the New York State Senate passed an amendment to the New York State Education Law in the 2025-2026 Executive Budget, adding Section 915a Universal Free School Meals. The change mandates that beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, any school that participates in the federal school lunch or breakfast programs must offer free breakfast and lunch to all students.

While certain students in the district were able to qualify for free or reduced meals prior to its passing, under the new amendment, all students in the Goshen School District will be able to receive free school meals starting in the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year.

At the time of its passage, State Senator James Skoufis said in a Facebook post that the amendment was one of the “best things to emerge from a fraught budget negotiation.”

“There is copious research that demonstrates the value of school-provided meals at no cost to families – better health, improved classroom behavior, and improved test scores,” Skoufis wrote. “When kids are fed, they walk into the classroom prepared to learn and I was proud to advocate for this important program.”