New Jersey

Although a 2022 bill for universal free school meals failed, New Jersey expanded access to free school meals with the passage of the Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act in January 2024. The law raised the income threshold for free meal eligibility from 199% to 224% of the federal poverty level, allowing families of four earning up to $67,200 to qualify. This expansion, which took effect in the 2024–2025 school year, extends free breakfast and lunch to over 60,000 additional students in public and participating non-public schools. Fully funded by the state, this policy builds on earlier efforts to ensure more children have access to daily nutritious meals at school. FoodCorps actively participates in the NJ School Meals for All Steering Committee which is working with partners and legislative partners on strategies to increase access to free meals for more students in school year 2025-2026 and beyond.