Schools: Feed More Kids In and Out of School-time

New York’s universal school meals law requires schools to maximize federal reimbursements by operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or School Breakfast Program (SBP). Once operating NSLP and/or SBP, schools must adopt either the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or Provision 2.

Schools are required to participate in CEP if eligible. Those who are not eligible for CEP must participate in Provision 2. Both provisions simplify the administration of schools offering free meals for all.

NYS Education Department (NYSED) resources on the implementation of universal school meals:

• Applying to operate the federal school meal programs
• NYSED Guidance on applying for CEP
• NYSED Guidance on Provision 2
• Memo on Universal School Meals in New York State

Start with strong direct certification: This best practice establishes economic need for students while reducing paperwork for schools and families. New York’s universal school meals law requires schools to conduct the direct certification matching process at least three times per year to certify children eligible for free school meals without an application.

Learn top strategies for direct certification with our tipsheet, developed collaboratively with the NYS Education Department and NYS school nutrition directors.

Amplify the importance of submitting household income information, even when meals are free: When families know the benefits of submitting a school meal application or household income form, they are more likely to follow through. During the base year of Provision 2, strong communication and outreach about submitting free and reduced-price applications is especially important.

Use our toolkit to spread the word to families.

New York’s universal school meals law requires schools to promote SNAP to families. This requirement ensures that all eligible children are enrolled in SNAP and thereby automatically certified as “free-eligible” through data matching.

Spread the word about SNAP: Use the resources in our SNAP Outreach Toolkit for Schools to promote SNAP in your communications to families.

Without a designated period for breakfast, schools can still struggle to reach students, even when meals are free to all. Extending breakfast after the school day begins can maximize participation and revenue.

Adopt new ways of serving breakfast: Use this factsheet to learn more about innovative Breakfast After the Bell service models and identify the best way to reach more kids with your breakfast program.

Many schools already serve afterschool snacks through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) allows eligible schools to serve complete meals and snacks during afterschool enrichment.

Serve afterschool meals through CACFP: This underutilized opportunity allows schools to provide greater nutrition for students and receive a higher reimbursement than the NSLP snack. Apply for CACFP at any time of year, even if programs are already underway.

Summer meals ensure kids are well-fed during the break from school and ready to learn when they return in the fall.

Serve summer meals: Eligible schools can serve free, nutritious meals at sites through the federal Summer Food Service Program as sponsors and/or meal sites, where kids and teens aged 18 and under can just drop by to eat in person when meals are served. Schools serving rural areas may be able to serve grab-and-go or home-delivered meals. Learn more

Spread the word about summer meals: All schools can help raise awareness about summer meals among families.

• Use our free outreach resources at the end of the school year and throughout the summer.
• Order summer meals outreach resources through the NYS Education Department. Order forms are available for SFSP Sponsors and the general public.

Summer break can increase hunger for kids and teens. Summer EBT benefits can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other authorized retailers.

Share information about Summer EBT with parents and caregivers: At the end of each school year, use these resources to communicate to families:

• Our summer meals and Summer EBT outreach resources, including flyers, graphics, and sample language for websites, newsletters, social media, and more.
• NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Summer EBT outreach materials, including flyers and sample text for newsletters.

Ensure student-level data, including mailing addresses, are up-to-date and accurate. Student-level data reported to NYSED is used to determine eligibility, issue benefits, communicate directly with families, and mail Summer EBT benefit cards. Each year, in early March, NYSED shares this information with the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to administer Summer EBT. Public schools submit this data through NYSED’s Student Information Repository System (SIRS), and private, non-public schools submit it through NYSED Information and Reporting Services (IRS).

Schools make it easier to connect students with Summer EBT by submitting the most up-to-date, accurate student enrollment and demographic information, including:

• Each student’s status for free/reduced-price (F/RP) lunch,
• Direct certification status (i.e., foster care, homeless, or migrant)
• Mailing address
• Date of Birth
• Listed parent or guardian

Schools can share information about WIC to help ensure families with young children have consistent access to healthy food. Schools also benefit: WIC supports kindergarten readiness for your youngest learners.

Our WIC Help NY Resource Center offers free outreach materials to share information with families.