LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Every school district in New York State is now offering free school meals to all students. To celebrate the occasion, the CEO of the United Way of the Greater Capital region was at Blue Creek Elementary School in Latham on Thursday to help serve lunches and speak about why the state funding is so important.

"One in seven kids throughout the Capital Region are food insecure," CEO Peter Gannon said. "We know when kids don't have the nutritious food they need, other things happen because of that. They are not prepared to learn; they are not prepared to grow."

Gannon also said the savings on school lunch make a big difference for families when they are making tough financial decisions.

Read the latest from NEWS10:

NEWS10 is the Capital Region's local news leader!

See Full Page