MENG RENEWS HER SUPPORT FOR HALAL MEALS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

UsaNewsOnline.Com Desk, New York, July 11 : With the Muslim community recently observing Eid al-Fitr and in light of the new New York City school holiday, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) renewed her call for NYC public schools to provide halal meals to students of Muslim descent.

Last December, the Congresswoman sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that sought support for offering halal food in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). The agency recently replied by saying that halal food is permitted under NSLP regulations but that providing it is at the discretion of local school districts. The agency also said in its response that the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has consistently encouraged school districts to consider the dietary preferences of the student populations they serve.

“I thank the USDA for being responsive to my efforts to expand school lunch and breakfast menus so that they include halal options,” said Meng. “I also appreciate the support that the agency conveyed for halal food. It is important that meals offered in New York City public schools reflect the growing Muslim populations that exist in our City, and I will continue to work with local officials to help make that happen.”

Click here to view the USDA’s letter to Meng.

Meng also urged a key Congressional committee to help improve access to halal food for Muslim students. In a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Meng called on the panel to include language in its annual spending bill that urges the USDA to:

• Gather data on which school districts make halal options available to students
• Produce instructional materials that school nutrition professionals can use during transitions schools make to offering halal food products

Click here to view Meng’s letter to the Committee.

Reports estimate the Muslim student population in New York City at approximately 12 percent.

The NSLP, SBP and FNS are entities that operate under the auspices of the USDA. Press Release.