On August 9, 2023, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the state's FY24 budget, which includes universal free school meals for public school students across Massachusetts. This initiative was introduced during the pandemic and was federally funded. The governor’s signature on this year's budget makes universal free school meals a permanent program in Massachusetts.

School meals will be free for all APS students when they return to school for the 2023-24 school year. This means that students will be entitled to one (1) free breakfast and one (1) free lunch. Further information will be offered by the APS Food Services department in the coming weeks.