School Food - Food Policy

Food Policy


Community Food ConnectionBuying FoodMeal Programs

Administration for Children's Services
Department for the Aging
Department of Correction
New York City Health + Hospitals
New York City Public Schools

Administration for Children's Services

Department for the Aging

Department of Correction

New York City Health + Hospitals

New York City Public Schools


New York City Public Schools

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) offers free breakfast, lunch, and after school meals to all NYC public school students during the school year. We equitably serve NYC students with healthy and delicious meals that enhance their educational experience, reflect their voices, and nourish them into adulthood.

You can check out the daily menu at school here and you can take a look at our School Kitchens Dashboard here.

For more information on school food programming, check out our one-pager here.

Summer Meals

NYCPS offers free breakfast and lunch to anyone 18 years old or younger from June 27, 2024 to August 30, 2024. You can get these meals at specific places like select NYC Public Schools, community pool centers, parks, and libraries. You do not need to sign up or show ID.

There is no service Thursday, July 4, 2024 (4th of July)

There is service Friday, July 5, 2024 (Day after 4th of July)

Breakfast Service Time: 8am - 9:15am

Lunch Service Time: 11am - 1:15pm

Text: NYCFood to 304-304 (standard text messaging rates may apply)

Call 311

Find A Free Breakfast & Lunch Location Near You

You may also be eligible for Summer EBT to supplement the cost of grocieries during the summer months. You can read more about Summer EBT on OTDA's website.

Plant-Powered Fridays

Plant-based meals are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. Plant-Powered Friday also exposes students to meals prepared in different, flavorful ways, encouraging students to make healthy food choices for a lifetime. Students have the opportunity to taste the plant-powered menu items before they are officially added to the menu and nothing is served without students' stamp of approval.

Want to try a plant-powered meal at home? Check out the recipes here.

Chef Council

Chef's in the Schools is a Menu Development and Chef Training program, in partnership with Wellness in the Schools (WITS). The initiative builds upon WITS' 18-year history of working in NYC public schools and the many collective efforts already underway. The Chef Council has developed scratch-cooked, plant-based, and culturally relevant recipes that were featured on the NYC public school menu for the 2023-2024 school year.

This initative is a commitment recognized by the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities.