File #: Res 0842-2015    Version: * Name: DOE to include a check box on school lunch forms to enable parents to indicate whether they want regular or vegetarian meal options for children during the school year.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Education
On agenda: 9/17/2015
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education to include a check box on school lunch forms to enable parents to indicate whether they want regular or vegetarian meal options for children during the school year, and requiring DOE to continually update their forms if any other options are offered in the future.
Sponsors: Rafael L. Espinal, Jr., Inez D. Barron, Fernando Cabrera , Costa G. Constantinides, Mathieu Eugene, Vincent J. Gentile, Karen Koslowitz, Rosie Mendez
Council Member Sponsors: 8
Attachments: 1. September 17, 2015 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2017*Rafael L. Espinal, Jr. City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
9/17/2015*Rafael L. Espinal, Jr. City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
9/17/2015*Rafael L. Espinal, Jr. City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 842

 

Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education to include a check box on school lunch forms to enable parents to indicate whether they want regular or vegetarian meal options for children during the school year, and requiring DOE to continually update their forms if any other options are offered in the future.

 

By Council Members Espinal, Barron, Cabrera, Constantinides, Eugene, Gentile, Koslowitz and Mendez

 

Whereas, The New York City Department of Education (DOE) is the largest public school system in the United States (U.S.), serving approximately 1.1 million students; and

Whereas, According to the New York City Department of Education (DOE), the Office of School Food (SchoolFood) serves approximately 850,000 meals a day to students, of which more than 700,000 are provided at no charge; and

Whereas, In addition to regular menu options, SchoolFood offers vegetarian breakfast and lunch menu options; and

Whereas, Although DOE lists menu offerings on its website, it is unclear whether DOE uses any other mechanisms to actively advertise the availability of vegetarian menu options to students and families; and

Whereas, It is also unclear how students and families currently indicate their preference for vegetarian menu options; and

Whereas, At the beginning of each school year, families are asked to complete a school meals application to determine whether students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch; and

Whereas, Parents can complete a paper application distributed by schools or they can apply online at nyc.applyforlunch.com; and

Whereas, Only one application, either paper or online, needs to be completed for all children (pre-k to high school) living in a household; and

Whereas, Since all families are asked to complete a single school lunch application every year covering all children in the household, adding a check box on the form to indicate preference for  regular or vegetarian menu options would be the most efficient way for families to make their preferences known; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Department of Education to include a check box on school lunch forms to enable parents to indicate whether they want regular or vegetarian meal options for children during the school year, and requiring DOE to continually update their forms if any other options are offered in the future.

LS# 2120

JA

8/12/14