Eastchester Launches Universal Free Meals Program

Lunchtime was business as usual—albeit with a twist—this week, as the launch of a new program in Eastchester schools ensures every district student will be able to receive free school meals this year.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, Eastchester kicked off its participation in New York State’s Universal Free Meals Program, an initiative designed to provide students with nutritious meals in school at no cost to families. The program—which was included in New York State’s 2025-2026 budget last winter—was officially signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in May, requiring all public, charter, and participating private schools to offer free meals to students regardless of family income.

Participation in the program, it has been estimated, will serve to save families an estimated $165 dollars per month per child.

And while food items can still be purchased a la carte in any of the school cafeterias as they were under the old system, students are now able to grab a free ‘full serve’ lunch tray/container that contains five nutritional components (dairy, grain, fruit, vegetable and protein) or a prepared container with bagel, sandwich or salad options for free, all part of a plan to reduce food insecurity, ease financial burdens for families, and improve student focus on learning.

"I believe this will have a tremendously positive impact on both our students and their families," said Board of Education Trustee Christine Civitano-Lombardi. "Under the program, every child now has access to a nutritious meal each day, which supports not only their physical health but also their ability to focus and learn."

At the moment, free breakfast is offered at both the middle and high schools only, beginning promptly at 7:15 a.m.

In September, the district sent out a survey to families to get a better sense of how many students would participate in the Universal Free Meals program. The response was staggering, with 919 district families giving feedback on what impact this program would mean to the community. Of those who responded, 797 (86.7%) indicated that they were either “likely” or “very likely” to participate in the Universal Free Meals program.

Working off that enthusiasm, the district quickly mobilized to put this plan into action. With administrators working tirelessly with the Food Services team—helmed by director Laura Cilento—to ensure that the lunchtime offerings aligned with NYS guidelines. And while Tuesday’s launch was a smooth one from a logistical standpoint, the hope is that the true value will be felt by families and students throughout the course of the school year.

"For families, this program offers meaningful relief—both financially and emotionally," said Civitano-Lombardi. "It removes the worry about packing lunches or keeping up with meal balances."