Universal School Meals Outreach Toolkit

New York enacted universal school meals, a critical step toward ensuring all students are well-nourished and ready to learn.

Use the resources below to communicate to students, families, and caregivers that:

• Free school meals are available to all students. Strong school nutrition programs require strong participation. Raise awareness of the availability and benefits of universal free breakfast and lunch.
• It is still important to submit household income information, even when meals are free for all. New York schools collect families’ household income through free and reduced price (F/RP) applications or a similar type of form. Consistent communication about submitting this information can improve a school’s return rate and is especially important during the base year of Provision 2.

Families are more likely to submit their income information when they understand the benefits:

• Schools use this data to establish economic need, which impacts the amount of education and technology funding they receive. It’s also used for state education aid, foundation aid, local funds, and grants.
• Submitting information benefits families. Those that meet the eligibility criteria for F/RP school meals are automatically eligible for additional benefits, such as SAT/ACT registration waivers, discounts on AP exam fees, and instrument fee waivers. If your school offers other discounts, fee waivers, and/or programs to F/RP-eligible families, include this in your messaging to families.