Main

Sections

Features

News 12 Originals

Choose Your Region

Be the first to know

Topics you care about, straight to your inbox

Your email address

Main

Sections

Features

News 12 Originals

Default

Be the first to know

Topics you care about, straight to your inbox

Your email address

Thousands more LI students getting free school meals following expansion of government program

The program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides students with free breakfast and lunch. The recent expansion adds 180 new Long Island schools to the list.

Kevin Vesey

•

Feb 28, 2024, 3:24 AM

•

Updated 79 days ago

Share:

Thousands of additional students are getting free meals at school this year thanks to the expansion of a government program.
The program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides students with free breakfast and lunch. The recent expansion adds 180 new Long Island schools to the list.
Students in the Connetquot Central School District will start receiving free meals on Friday, March 1.
According to the nonprofit Hunger Solutions New York, the program is estimated to save about $150 per child each month in food costs.
Connetquot parent Seth Schoen says that will take a big bite out of his monthly bills.
Schoen says, “$150 roughly per kid, that’s real money. That’s gas in the car. That’s a phone bill. That’s real money.”
Parents in participating school districts do not need to take any action to take part in the program.
Most Connetquot students will receive free meals through June of 2027.
More from News 12
2:07
Nassau County doctor convicted of illegally prescribing around 93,000 mg of oxycodone to 1 patient

Nassau County doctor convicted of illegally prescribing around 93,000 mg of oxycodone to 1 patient

1:37
Partly sunny Friday; warmer temps to kick off next week

Partly sunny Friday; warmer temps to kick off next week

1:44
Massapequa couple latest to be charged in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Massapequa couple latest to be charged in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol riot

0:30
Police: Deer Park teen charged after making threats, bringing BB gun to Frost Middle School

Police: Deer Park teen charged after making threats, bringing BB gun to Frost Middle School

New York Rangers beat Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 to advance to Eastern Conference Final

New York Rangers beat Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 to advance to Eastern Conference Final

2:11
Commack man takes stand in civil trial claiming he was strip-searched by Suffolk police

Commack man takes stand in civil trial claiming he was strip-searched by Suffolk police

1:40
Blood drive held in honor of former Patchogue fire chief exceeds expectations

Blood drive held in honor of former Patchogue fire chief exceeds expectations

1:39
Long Islanders take part in No Mow May to help lawns flourish, aid early season pollinators

Long Islanders take part in No Mow May to help lawns flourish, aid early season pollinators

2:04
Food Pantry on NCC campus sees surge following shutdown of cafeteria

Food Pantry on NCC campus sees surge following shutdown of cafeteria

0:38
Environmental experts come together to address water concerns on Long Island

Environmental experts come together to address water concerns on Long Island

0:39
Suffolk Water Authority urges water conservation ahead of summer months

Suffolk Water Authority urges water conservation ahead of summer months

0:53
Copiague LIRR station now fully ADA accessible

Copiague LIRR station now fully ADA accessible

0:31
Police: 20-year-old Brooklyn driver dead following crash on Meadowbrook Parkway

Police: 20-year-old Brooklyn driver dead following crash on Meadowbrook Parkway

2:20
Suffolk police: 17 people arrested in one week during Operation Smoke Out

Suffolk police: 17 people arrested in one week during Operation Smoke Out

5:35
Road Trip Close to Home hits the 200 episode milestone!

Road Trip Close to Home hits the 200 episode milestone!

0:23
2 men arrested for selling tobacco products to minors in Levittown

2 men arrested for selling tobacco products to minors in Levittown

0:30
Medford man convicted of transporting 3 people who crossed into U.S. illegally

Medford man convicted of transporting 3 people who crossed into U.S. illegally

0:19
4 people wanted for stealing over $5,000 of merchandise from Macy's

4 people wanted for stealing over $5,000 of merchandise from Macy's

0:30
New screening can identify preeclampsia risk sooner in pregnancy

New screening can identify preeclampsia risk sooner in pregnancy

4:12
The East End: Explore the North Fork on 2 wheels via East End Bike Tours

The East End: Explore the North Fork on 2 wheels via East End Bike Tours