April 15, 2014

Universal Free School Lunch Gains Momentum

There’s growing support in New York City to ensure that all public school students are well-nourished and ready to learn. A recent New York Times editorial endorsed the Lunch 4 Learning campaign’s efforts to provide free school lunch to all public school children.

You can help us in this effort by signing on to the Lunch 4 Learning petition.

Lunch 4 Learning launched in October 2013 – and CCC has been there since the beginning. We joined in the call for the City to end the collection of student fees and make healthy student lunch free for all New York City public school students. Since then, the campaign has worked to raise awareness about the need for free school lunch for all students regardless of income, and our hard work is paying off!

Following a press conference hosted by Public Advocate Letitia James last month, NYC Department of Education Chancellor Carmen Farina said that she welcomed the idea of free lunch for all students.

In New York City, 75% of school students are eligible for free lunch (income eligibility for a family of 3 is under 36,000). Despite this, one-third of eligible students do not participate, largely because of the stigma associated with being labeled the “poor kid” who eats school lunch. By serving all children without charge we can eliminate the stigma that greatly impacts participation.

Sign on to this petition calling on Mayor de Blasio to offer free school lunch to all New York City public school students, regardless of income. 

Thank you for your continued support! We look forward to working with the City to make free and healthy school lunch a reality for all New York City public school children.

Tags
lunch 4 learning, universal school lunch, Economic Security

Comments
0