TRENTON — Governor Mikie Sherrill has signed legislation requiring public schools to prominently display information about free and reduced-price school meal programs on their websites, making it easier for eligible families to access the benefits.
The new law (A3882/S3426) requires schools to post a link to the subsidized school meals application in a visible location on their website, along with a link to at least one informational video produced by the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate.
Of the 689,149 students currently eligible for free and reduced-price school meals in New Jersey, 456,705 are directly certified — meaning they qualify automatically through enrollment in other assistance programs such as Medicaid or SNAP, with no additional paperwork required.
“Every child deserves access to nutritious meals, whether they are in the classroom or at home during the summer,” said Governor Sherrill. “This legislation will make it easier for families to find and access school meal programs by ensuring information is readily available when they need it.”
Governor Sherrill also announced that more than 681,000 eligible children across the state will begin receiving Summer EBT benefits in the coming days. The NJ Summer EBT program provides families with a one-time benefit of $120 per eligible child to purchase food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers during the summer months.
Families seeking to apply for school meals or Summer EBT benefits should contact their local school district. For eligibility information click here to visit the state’s Summer EBT portal.
