STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- When students return to class Thursday, they will find something new on the menu: Free lunch for everyone.

Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina joined city officials Wednesday to announce the Free School Lunch for All program. Free lunch will be available to all kids, regardless of income, she said. The program officially begins Thursday as both public and parochial schools open for the year.

Universal free lunch will apply to all schools and students, including charter and non-public schools, who already participate in the government's free and reduced-price lunch program. Breakfast is already provided free of charge to all students, officials said.

About 80 percent of children currently qualify for free lunch, but advocates say many are embarrassed to accept the meal.

While the meals will be free, parents will still need to fill out a lunch form for each child that attends a public school.

"Students need healthy meals to stay focused in school, and it is a major step forward that every New York City student will have access to free breakfast and lunch every day. Free School Lunch for All will provide financial relief to families and ensure all students are receiving nutritious meals so that they can succeed in the classroom and beyond," Farina said.

The city is reimbursed for the cost of the meals through the federal government; the program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A broad coalition of parent organizations and elected officials, including the five borough presidents, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Public Advocate Leticia James and City Council members, have advocated for more than a year for the city to make the free lunch program available to every child.

"I have been a longtime advocate for Free School Lunch for All," said City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore).

"Knowing the role that good nutrition plays in the learning process, providing a healthy lunch is key to successful learning," she said. "Today, we take a significant step forward for the health and well-being of our city's students by ensuring that each and every student has this opportunity, without paperwork, barriers or stigmas attached."