New York City Food by the Numbers: The City’s Public Plate –Part 1- Schools

The City’s Public Plate Part 1: Schools

Each year, New York City government provides more than 270 million meals and snacks in city agencies such as schools, hospitals, child care centers, senior centers, and jails. Schools account for 66% of these meals and snacks.  What some have called New York City’s “public plate” is a vital but understudied part of New York City’s food system.  In a forthcoming report, the New York City Food Policy Center will profile this public plate and suggest strategies for strengthening its ability to improve the nutrition of New York City’s most vulnerable populations

Here are some numbers about the school food program:

• Approximately 2000 public, charter, and private schools are served by the NYC Department of Education’s Office of SchoolFood and Nutrition Services
• 1240 of New York City’s 1700 public schools have their own kitchens from which they provide school meals
• In 2011, the NYC Independent Budget Office calculated that federal government contributed about $405 million, New York State about $18 million and New York City about $73 million to the city’s school food program
• Increasing enrollment in the city’s school lunch program by 15% would generate 883 new jobs in school food
• The Office of SchoolFood offers 26 menus from which schools can choose lunches