March 13, 2026 - Universal Free Meals for ALL Children
Port Jervis Schools is proud to share this video as part of our advocacy for Universal Free Meals for ALL children.
Our students have access to daily breakfast and lunch at school, and in the summer, at no cost to families. This video will be heading to NYS as evidence of the benefits to our kids in school. Thank you, NYS, for providing these meals for our school community.
Thank you to PJ Food Service Director Erin Phelan and her food service team for providing great service to our children. Thank you also, and our student participants--they were great! #GoPORT!
Here are a few facts about the Universal School Meal program:
Free school meals are estimated to save families approximately $165 per child in grocery costs each month, helping working families manage rising food prices and economic pressures. Beyond financial relief, universal meal programs have been shown to:
- Improve student concentration and classroom engagement
- Boost academic performance and test scores
- Increase attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism
- Improve student behavior and classroom climate
- Support physical and mental health
- The relationship between nutrition and learning is clear: students who are well nourished are better prepared to succeed in school.
Daniel P. McCoy, Albany County Executive, emphasized the importance of addressing hunger among students:
“The impact of food insecurity on a student’s physical and mental health cannot be overstated. Hungry children struggle to focus, learn, and fully participate in school. No child should ever worry about where their next meal is coming from. By providing free breakfast and lunch, we ensure that students from all backgrounds have an equal opportunity to thrive. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Kathy Hochul for her commitment to this critical issue.”
Universal school meals also strengthen communities by supporting local economies, reducing administrative burdens for school districts, and increasing participation in programs supported by the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.