School Meals for All New Jersey marked this year’s National School Lunch Week with legislator visits to schools across the state, observing lunches and learning about the impact of free school meals on students throughout New Jersey.
In Clifton, Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill joined the United Way of Passaic County and the Passaic County Food Policy Council to tour Clifton High School. Assemblyman William Spearman, chair of the Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture joined Hunger Free New Jersey in Camden at the Davis Family School. And in Trenton, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson toured Gregory Elementary School with Mercer Street Friends and the Office of the Food Security Advocate. These visits included lunchroom visits during setup and mealtimes, farmer’s market tours, and visits with school staff members.
“New Jersey children depend on school meals to help them fuel up and stay focused throughout the day,” said Lisa Pitz, director of Hunger Free New Jersey, the leading advocacy organization working to end hunger in New Jersey. “Free School Meals for All removes the stigma that surrounds school meals and helps to build community while preparing students to learn.”
Studies have shown a direct link between healthy meals and improved academic performance, boosted attendance, and better classroom behavior. According to the Food Research and Action Center’s 2024 report, The State of Healthy School Meals for All, nutritious, free school meals increased participation in school meals, helped to remove the stigma surrounding school meals and eliminated school meal debt. Children who receive free school meals are better equipped to concentrate, engage, and excel academically, creating the foundation for lifelong success.
“We are grateful to Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson and our friends from the Office of the Food Security Advocate for visiting us to see the school’s food pantry and our anti-hunger programs in action,” said Bernie Flynn, CEO of Mercer Street Friends, the lead agency of the Trenton Community Schools Initiative. “The community school movement is about removing barriers to learning. Access to healthy lunches, and nutritious food over the weekends, is essential in fueling these young minds, and helping them stay focused, engaged and ready to learn.”
School Meals for All New Jersey is a coalition led by Hunger Free New Jersey, the NJ School Nutrition Association, FoodCorps, the Food Research and Action Center, and the American Heart Association of New Jersey aimed at ensuring free school meals for all New Jersey students. Founded in 2023, the coalition is made up of a diverse and growing group of anti-hunger, education, health, agriculture, and equity-focused organizations; students; parents; school administrators; and other concerned New Jerseyans
“I was pleased to visit Clifton Public Schools and witness firsthand the incredible impact of their school lunch program and learn about the impact the program could make if it was free to all students,” said Mary Celis, President & CEO of the United Way of Passaic County. “The United Way of Passaic County convenes the Passaic County Food Policy Council and together with our partners, we champion the School Meals For All campaign. Together, we can ensure that every child in Passaic County and across the state receives the nutrition they need to thrive.”
National School Lunch Week was created by the School Nutrition Association to encourage participation in the National School Lunch Program and recognize the school districts providing healthy meals every day. This year’s National School Lunch Week theme was “School Lunch Pirates: Find Your Treasure.”
