Sen. Michelle Hinchey was among a group of advocates who rallied outside the state Capitol for permanent funding for free breakfast and lunch at all state public schools.

She was with the Healthy School Meals for All NY Kids coalition on Wednesday to call for her bill on the subject to be included in the state budget.

Hinchey says food is a form of health care and that the funding would help nearly 17,000 students in her district alone to get healthy meals.

Her office says 1 in 7 kids in the state experience hunger, which can make it hard to focus in school and hurt mental and physical health.