Students from IntegrateNYC4me have conducted research with health activists in NYC and found that there is an unequal distribution of quality kitchen equipment across NYC which contributes to unequal access to quality school lunch menu options.

Our research shows that public schools either have:

A. Full cooking kitchens (with burners, ovens, AND steamers)

B. Modified kitchens (with one or two pieces of the available cooking kitchen equipment), or

C. NO kitchen because they are a satellite location where frozen food is delivered and warmed before serving.

This creates a disparate impact in terms of food quality for students because there is a correlation between kitchen equipment and a kitchen staff's ability to make fresh food for students. This disparate impact particularly effects segregated public schools in districts such as District 7 in the South Bronx which serves over 95% minority-identified students. In District 7, only 23 of the 93 schools have full kitchens and more than 50 schools only have the ability to heat frozen foods. Bronx student activists from IntegrateNYC4me believe that in order to realize their dream of equally funded, integrated schools for ALL students, every school in NYC must be equipped with a full cooking kitchen so all students can eat nutritious, appealing lunch. Please sign the petition if you support the vision to integrate resources for school lunch in all schools.