NY lawmaker blasts NYC Public Schools for ‘horrifying’ and ‘moldy’ lunches

Finn Hoogensen
·2 min read
16
NY lawmaker blasts NYC Public Schools for ‘horrifying’ and ‘moldy’ lunches

NEW YORK (PIX11) – A state lawmaker put New York City Public Schools on blast for serving “horrifying” and “moldy” food items to students for lunch.

State Sen. Iwen Chu, who represents southern Brooklyn, said she sent a letter to Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks criticizing the quality of lunches being served to New York City students.

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Chu said she received complaints from parents and students about school lunches. Chu shared several photos of the lunches that she said were provided by students at Brooklyn Tech High School, Staten Island Tech High School, Murrow High School and Midwood High School.

“It is unacceptable to see the quality of school lunches being provided to our students. No student should be presented with moldy, unappetizing, slimy, and incomplete food options,” Chu said in a statement Monday. “As a public-school mom myself, I am appalled at the quality of food options and demand urgent action to improve school lunches.”

  • State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students.
    State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Iwen Chu)
  • State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students.
    State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Iwen Chu)
  • State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students.
    State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Iwen Chu)
  • State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students.
    State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Iwen Chu)
  • State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students.
    State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Iwen Chu)
  • State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students.
    State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Iwen Chu)
  • State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students.
    State Sen. Iwen Chu criticized the quality of lunches being served to New York City public school students. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Iwen Chu)

After facing backlash, New York City Public Schools will be bringing back some of the popular school lunch items that were eliminated earlier this year, Chalkbeat reported.

PIX11 News reached out to the New York City Department of Education and the mayor’s office for comment.

Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.

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