Connecticut public school students now have access to breakfast at no cost at the start of every school day, regardless of family income, under a new statewide program that began with the 2026-27 school year.

Governor Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz recently reminded families about the program, which extends free breakfast to K-12 students in public schools participating in the School Breakfast Program. Families do not need to apply for the breakfast benefit.

The initiative was proposed by Lamont and approved by the Connecticut General Assembly earlier this year. The fiscal year 2027 state budget provides $12 million for universal free school breakfast, enough to make the benefit available to approximately 500,000 public school students statewide.

The breakfast investment is part of a broader increase in state education funding. The adopted budget includes an additional $193 million in supplemental education grants for Connecticut towns and cities.

For families, however, the most immediate change happens before the school day begins: students can eat breakfast at school without paying for the meal or qualifying based on household income.

"A healthy breakfast provides kids with the opportunity to start the day ready to learn and thrive," Lamont said, emphasizing that access should not depend on a family's income.

Bysiewicz also pointed to the connection between hunger and learning, noting that students who arrive at school hungry can have difficulty concentrating and fully participating in class.

Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker said nutritious breakfasts help students begin the day prepared to learn, participate and take advantage of educational opportunities.

Meals provided through the School Breakfast Program must follow federal nutrition requirements. Connecticut Department of Education guidance for the 2026-27 school year requires breakfasts to include specified amounts of grains and meats/meat alternates, fruit, and milk, with menus also meeting U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition standards.

The statewide program removes the cost of breakfast, but schedules and distribution may differ by school. Families should check directly with their child's school to learn when and where breakfast is served.

The free breakfast program is separate from other school meal eligibility programs. Connecticut continues to provide applications for free and reduced-price school meals and Summer EBT, so families should not assume that receiving free breakfast eliminates the need to complete forms related to other benefits.

For parents who may previously have skipped school breakfast because they did not qualify for assistance or wanted to avoid an additional household expense, the message for this school year is simple: K-12 students at participating Connecticut public schools can receive breakfast at no cost, with no application required for the breakfast benefit.

Sources: Connecticut Office of the Governor; Connecticut State Department of Education school nutrition guidance.