Requires public and nonpublic schools with lunch programs to provide free lunch to increasing numbers of income-eligible students and, after five-year phase-in, to provide free lunch to all students, regardless of income or federal eligibility.

This bill requires public and nonpublic schools with lunch programs in New Jersey to gradually expand free lunch eligibility over a five-year period, eventually providing free lunch to all students regardless of income or federal eligibility. Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, schools must provide free lunch to students from families with incomes between 186-199% of the federal poverty level, with the income threshold increasing each year until all students qualify by the 2028-2029 school year. The state would provide funding to school districts to cover the costs of serving free lunch to students who are federally ineligible but meet the income criteria. The bill also includes reporting requirements for schools to track eligibility and income levels of students receiving free lunch, and mandates that schools take steps to minimize program costs while maintaining nutritional standards.