June 7, 2017

New York City’s 2017–18 budget was passed yesterday and includes funding for universal free school lunch. The following is a statement from New York Health Foundation President and CEO David Sandman on the decision to provide free lunch to nearly all of the City’s 1.1 million school children:

“NYC’s children are big winners in the budget, which vastly expands and funds universal free school lunch. Universal school lunch eliminates the stigma of free or reduced-price lunch and ensures that nearly all of New York City’s 1.1 million public school students will have the food they need to be healthy, to learn, and to play. New York City has joined the ranks of big cities across the nation and other cities within New York State that already have this policy in place. Additional funding will support marketing and promotion of the program to students and parents and improve the nutritional quality of school food. The New York Health Foundation applauds the City Council and the Mayor for their commitment to New York City’s families and to policies that support health, promote student achievement, and advance equity.”

About the New York Health Foundation
The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) is a private, statewide foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable. Find NYHealth on Twitter at @NYHFoundation.

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