Recently, the New York City Council presented a proclamation to No Kid Hungry New York celebrating National School Breakfast Week! New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Education Committee Chair Rita Joseph and Councilmember Shekar Krishnan joined together to celebrate this important program and the impact it has on the lives of children across New York City.
During the New York City Council Stated meeting, Councilmember Rita Joseph delivered a powerful and inspiring message about the importance of ensuring every child has access to nutritious meals—especially breakfast. Her words celebrated the progress made while calling for continued action to fight child hunger.
“Here in New York City, we know that food insecurity is an unfortunate reality for too many of our students,” she stated, underscoring the urgent need to prioritize and expand access to school breakfast. She highlighted how school breakfast programs play a crucial role in ensuring that every child starts their day with the nourishment they need to grow, learn, and thrive. But she also shined a light on the momentum building around this issue, celebrating the growing efforts to make breakfast a fundamental part of the school day for all students.
“A hungry child cannot focus in [the] classroom and no child should have to wonder where their next meal will come from. That’s why programs like school breakfast are essential,” Councilmember Joseph emphasized. She highlighted how ensuring students start their day with a nutritious meal leads to better focus, stronger academic performance, and brighter futures.
Her message went beyond just nutrition—it was about equity and opportunity. “Because food is not a privilege – it is a right,” she declared, reinforcing the idea that every child deserves the same chance to succeed.
Councilmember Joseph’s remarks were a rallying cry for continued investment in school meal programs and a celebration of the progress already made. Thanks to the leadership of the New York City Council and the dedicated staff members of the New York City Public Schools Office of Food and Nutrition Services, New York City is making incredible strides in ensuring that every child starts their day nourished, focused, and ready to achieve their dreams.