NYC Public Schools' Recipe for Healthier School Meals

As a former New York City (NYC) public school student of 14 years and avid foodie since childhood, I have become all too familiar with the school meals in NYC Public Schools. When I started attending Pre-K, I was completely overwhelmed by the cafeteria trays filled with pizza, burgers, and chicken nuggets that were completely different from the vegetables and grains I ate at home. Dissatisfied with how unhealthy the school lunch options were, my mom started packing lunch for me: a main course, some vegetables, and my favorite part, a fresh fruit for dessert. To this day, I still pack my own lunch because I’ve become used to having control over my meals.

While I am fortunate that my family could afford to pack lunches every day for 14 years, this is not an option for many children. Many students rely on school breakfast and lunch programs for fuel, and these meals are sometimes the only ones that students eat in a day. That being said, all students should be served healthy meals by default without having to worry about bringing in their own meals. Thankfully, the NYC Public School meals program has changed dramatically since I started school, giving its nearly one million students access to the nutrition they deserve.

Success #1: Meatless Mondays

In 2019, Mayor de Blasio, Chancellor Carranza, and Brooklyn President Adams announced the introduction of Meatless Mondays. The pilot program began in 2018, offering students from 15 schools in Brooklyn a chance to taste and give feedback on the dishes before it was officially rolled out in the 2019-2020 school year. Assorted vegetable dishes and salads began filling up trays every Monday, giving students more fiber and supporting digestive health with less saturated fats.

A simple, yet effective step, Meatless Mondays advanced the effort to create better school meals and promote community health. Not only are students enjoying more nutritious meals, but they are becoming more familiar with a plate filled with healthy, minimally-processed foods.

Success #2: Plant-Powered Fridays

When Brooklyn Borough President Adams was elected Mayor of NYC, he continued the initiative for better meals with the introduction of Plant Powered Fridays in 2022. Similar to Meatless Mondays, students had the opportunity to test the plant-forward menu before it was rolled out entirely.

More foods with fiber, including fruits, vegetables, and grains, were added to the school cafeterias, promoting additional wholesome options alongside Meatless Mondays. The Plant Powered Fridays program allows students to explore fiber rich foods, encouraging them to make similar choices in the future with their long-term health and well-being in mind.

Overall Accessibility & Wins

In addition to plant forward menus on Mondays and Fridays, NYC Public Schools has proven their prioritization of student nutrition through options throughout the entire week. Fresh fruits and vegetables are offered daily, along with self-serve salad bars in many cafeterias. Plant-based options are available daily for students looking for fiber rich fuel during the middle of the week. 

While these menu changes were introduced at the end of my time as a NYC public school student, I am grateful for the successes and positive engagement in crafting food environments that promote health rather than harm. Ensuring that nutritious meals are available to all students, not just those who are able to bring their own lunch from home, is essential for the overall well-being of students and their future. School lunches influence lifelong eating habits and preferences, and giving students variety and the ability to choose their meals promotes autonomy and discovery of nutrient-dense favorites that they may not have tried before. The NYC Public Schools meal program offers a powerful example for all school districts, proving that nutrition security is both possible and successful. With continued advocacy through organizations like Balanced, these menu changes can become the new standard for school cafeterias everywhere.

Join the Movement!

We continue the work of NYC by expanding fiber rich options for all students across the country. Join us in advocating for a healthier, more nutritious future for our children by signing up for our newsletter, exploring our Focus on Fiber campaign, and consider making a donation to support our mission to make school lunches healthier for all!