NYC public schools may be required to serve kosher, halal options

New York Post – by Susan Edelman

City public schools would have to serve halal and kosher meals to any student who requests them if a new bill becomes law, The Post has learned.

State Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Queens) has introduced legislation requiring public schools to offer food that meets a student’s religious dietary restrictions.  

“The city is much more diverse religiously now than it’s ever been,” said State Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Queens), who introduced the legislation requiring schools offer food that meets students’ religious dietary restrictions.

“It’s important that we honor and respect each other’s religions.”

Under an earlier proposal, kosher and halal food options would be offered in schools where more than 25 percent of the students requested them.

But the bill sets no minimum requirement.

“It should be available on request,” Weprin said.

The cost has not been determined, but Weprin dismissed the extra expense as negligible because schools can buy “prepackaged” food.

“I don’t anticipate they’d have to do a dramatic kitchen change. You could get hot, prepared meals from different vendors,” he said, adding that dietary restrictions are honored in senior centers and jails.

“If we can provide kosher and halal meals in prison, it seem to me it should be option for public school students,” he said.

Last September, students joined a City Hall rally with Weprin, City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Public Advocate Letitia James, who said Jewish and Muslim kids make up 38 percent of the public school population.

A spokesman for the city Department of Education said the schools offer vegetarian meals, but Jewish and Muslim advocates say that doesn’t meet requirements for special supervision to ensure food is prepared according to religious rules.

Brooklyn Rabbi Yakov Cohen hailed the bill, saying “It shows that we’re respecting all people whatever they practice.”

Most Jewish kids who observe kosher rules bring peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches to school, Cohen said. “They can’t bring hot food.”

A Muslim mom, Mazeda Uddin, packed halal lunches that wilted, embarrassing or even sickening her kids, she said. “Sometimes they feel so sad and so hungry,” she said.

http://nypost.com/2017/04/23/nyc-public-schools-may-be-required-to-serve-kosher-halal-options/