>Which is why I'm actually not sure why certain states don't do this. Like richer states like Maryland, Virginia, New York, California.

Not sure about other states, but...

All NYC public school students can have free meals[0]:

"New York City Public Schools offers free breakfast, lunch and afterschool meals to all NYC public school students during the school year."

As for NY State -- well, better late than never[1]:

"Universal School Meals: Governor Hochul Announces Free Breakfast and Lunch for More Than 2.7 Million Students in New York as Part of the 2025 State of the State"

To be fair, free and reduced price meals were already available across NY state, but with a means test[2]:

   The School Breakfast and Lunch Programs are federal programs providing free, 
   reduced or full priced breakfast and lunch at participating schools 
   throughout New York State. In New York State the New York State Department of 
   Education administers these programs, and local schools operate the programs. 
   The meals are the same for all children regardless of payment category, and 
   schools are not permitted to identify students who get free or reduced-price 
   meals.


   Eligibility Meal Categories  Eligibility
   Free  Income up to 130% of poverty ($39,000 for a family of 4 annually)
   Reduced (no charge to student)  Income up to 185% of poverty ($55,500 for a family of 4 annually)
   Full price* - paid by family  Income over 185% of poverty ($55,500 for a family of 4 annually)

[0] https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food

[1] https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/universal-school-meals-gove...

[2] https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/schoollunch.asp