New York is changing the school food system: what and how will children be fed in the city's schools now

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and School Chancellor David C. Banks announced on Dec. 20 that New York City will change the way students eat by transforming public school cafeterias in five boroughs, including at least two Staten Island schools. Silive.

Adams and Banks announced the expansion of the Cafeteria Enhancement Experience (CEE) program. They provided an additional $50 million in capital funding for an initiative to convert more than 80 cafeterias into warm spaces where students can enjoy wholesome meals.

“The classroom is not the only place in the school building where a child learns. After two years of the pandemic, we understand how important it is for students to be able to communicate. They need to interact with each other in a comfortable environment over healthy meals,” Adams said in a statement. “This is another step that we are taking to ensure that our schools become a place where every child can feel that they are seen and heard. Where all children, regardless of background or ability, can learn in the classroom to grow up to be well-rounded and emotionally secure adults.”

The Cafeteria Enhancement Experience initiative is based on four core principles:

• Student choice. Expanded dining rooms offer a variety of ways to consume whole fruits, vegetables, snacks, or fresh produce from salad bars.
• Fast service. Students don't have to queue for food. They will have more time to relax and have fun with their classmates.
• Modern style. As part of the CEE initiative, the cafeteria will be redesigned with an emphasis on creating a warm and welcoming environment.
• New furniture. Comfortable tables and chairs welcome students to the new space.

The middle and high schools that will receive the upgraded cafeteria are determined by a number of factors, including student enrollment and participation in the program. Each school receiving the upgrade is located in the TRIE neighborhood. The area has been identified by the city's Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equality (TRIE) as being disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Also, special attention is paid to schools in old buildings.

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Design decisions for the redevelopment of canteens are made in partnership with the leadership of individual schools.

The city's Department of Education (DOE) said at least two schools in the area would benefit from the initiative - Prall Intermediate School (IS 27) in West Brighton and Curtis High School in St. George.

The full list of schools has not yet been announced.

“Every day, hundreds of thousands of students rely on schools to provide them with nutritious meals. When our students are fed, they do better in the classroom and are more likely to make healthy decisions later in life. That is why it is so important that our dining rooms are a welcoming environment,” Banks said in a statement. – The Cafeteria Improvement Project is transforming the student cafeteria. He turns cafeterias into gathering places for our students. And I am grateful that even more students will be able to enjoy these places next year.”

The city has pledged, among other things, to expand access to halal meals in schools. This decision was welcomed by Assemblyman Charles Fall (D-North Shore).

“As the first Muslim elected to head of state, representing the North Shore of Staten Island, Lower Manhattan, and Brooklyn, and as a sponsor of state legislation to increase access to halal food for our students, I thank the City for their efforts to expand the Cafeteria program enhancement experience. It will provide halal meals to schools across the city,” he said.

If any school communities are interested in an expanded halal menu, their school principal will work with the school community and the Islamic Leadership Council of New York to add this service to the respective website.