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.
Updates
October 27, 2015
I spent the afternoon visiting a few schools that rely on satellite warming stations and the difference in what ends up on a tray is heartbreaking. No student should be forced to accept frozen meals just because of their zip code. We are currently gathering more documentation on the equipment gaps to present to the district office next week.
October 27, 2015
Seeing this kind of energy building gives me hope that we can finally end the cycle of serving nothing but reheated frozen meals to our students. It is deeply moving to see so many people acknowledge that where a child goes to school should not dictate the quality of the food on their plate.
Reached 100 supporters
October 27, 2015
26 Comments
I love the fact that teens my age want to cause a difference and want to cause a change.
Food is fuel! Every NYC student should have equal access to healthy, freshly prepared food to fuel them for learning. For many school lunch is their main meal of the day. Let's allow all our kids to develop healthy habits, starting with what goes in their bodies.
Food is our common denominator. We cannot expect anyone to function at their optimal if fueled by subpar options. These kids absolutely deserve access to freshly prepared foods period.
Our school's students sadly fall into category C... They deserve real food! All students need actual nutrition to sustain critical thinking and focus through out the day.
I've worked at two different schools in NYC over the last 9 years (one in district 7 and one in district 2) - why are their kitchen resources so so disparate??
Amazing work Bronx Academy of Letters and IntegrateNYC!!
yes.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
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.
Updates
October 27, 2015
I spent the afternoon visiting a few schools that rely on satellite warming stations and the difference in what ends up on a tray is heartbreaking. No student should be forced to accept frozen meals just because of their zip code. We are currently gathering more documentation on the equipment gaps to present to the district office next week.
October 27, 2015
Seeing this kind of energy building gives me hope that we can finally end the cycle of serving nothing but reheated frozen meals to our students. It is deeply moving to see so many people acknowledge that where a child goes to school should not dictate the quality of the food on their plate.
Reached 100 supporters
October 27, 2015
26 Comments
Students in ALL schools need the resources to create healthier and tastier school food. Better school food= better learning environment. Go IntegrateNYC4me!
I love the fact that teens my age want to cause a difference and want to cause a change.
Food is fuel! Every NYC student should have equal access to healthy, freshly prepared food to fuel them for learning. For many school lunch is their main meal of the day. Let's allow all our kids to develop healthy habits, starting with what goes in their bodies.
Food is our common denominator. We cannot expect anyone to function at their optimal if fueled by subpar options. These kids absolutely deserve access to freshly prepared foods period.
Our school's students sadly fall into category C... They deserve real food! All students need actual nutrition to sustain critical thinking and focus through out the day.
I've worked at two different schools in NYC over the last 9 years (one in district 7 and one in district 2) - why are their kitchen resources so so disparate??
Amazing work Bronx Academy of Letters and IntegrateNYC!!
yes.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Students in ALL schools need the resources to create healthier and tastier school food. Better school food= better learning environment. Go IntegrateNYC4me!