Every student in New York could get free breakfast and lunch at school under a proposal announced Friday by Gov. Kathy Hochul. If approved by state lawmakers, the plan would cover more than 2.7 million students in the state regardless of income,

NEW YORK — New York Governor Kathy Hochul is proposing free breakfasts and lunches for more than 2.7 million students in the state. The proposal is part of her affordability agenda for the State of the State.

Currently, 90% of students have access to free school meals. With the additional funding, 300,000 more students would gain access to free meals, bringing the total number of students eligible for meals to 2.

On Long Island, a universal meals program would help an estimated 260 schools and 135,000 students, according to Hunger Solutions New York.