Editor's note: This story was produced as part of a WXXI partnership with the Rochester Association of Black Journalists' youth media trainee internship program.
As SNAP benefits decrease, the focus on student lunches and health has increased.
“Schools are going to become a place that our young people come for nutrition,” said Rochester school board member Isaiah Santiago.
Federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have contributed to 3,900 Monroe County households losing their food assistance benefits since May, officials said.
That leaves school meals as, potentially, the only reliable food source for children from low-income families, heightening ongoing concerns about the quality of school meals, and whether students are eating them — even with the universal free meals program New York state rolled out last year.
“It’s so important that we’re providing things they’ll eat,” Santiago said, “and things that they’ll enjoy.”
The district has recognized concerns over school lunch satisfaction in recent years, specifically investing in efforts to improve quality. But Santiago said more can be done.
This ongoing focus on providing quality nutritious school meals isn’t solely for student satisfaction and to promote healthy habits. Gov. Kathy Hochul promoted the universal free meals program in schools as a way to improve classroom performance,. Studies have shown that when students aren’t well nourished the mental, physical, and academic consequences are tremendous.
Skipping meals can affect student concentration, memory, mood and motivation, research has shown. Blood sugar levels drop, leading to fatigue and other negative symptoms that can affect their ability and readiness to learn.
School meals must conform to federal guidelines and regulations. But students say they want more choices.
For Prince Massey of Rochester Prep, "it would be wings, like pizza and wings. That's good." he said. "That's a good combo.” While Zariyah Scott-Copper, who attends School Without Walls, just wants more options: "To be honest, I would eat some noodles.”
Beyond wanting more variety in meals and beverages, students also suggested buffet -style service similar to what colleges provide as well as offering childhood staples including slushies and Pop-tarts. Santiago, who is the youngest person ever elected to the Rochester school board, having graduated in 2022, also has some ideas.
Santiago has advocated for a state grant-funded Farm to Table program that would reimburse the district for food, including fresh produce, ordered from local farms.
“It definitely doesn't negate, you know, the way that our students feel about the school lunches,” he said. “(But) I think that it's going to be important that we find solutions in the upcoming year and the upcoming years as we see threats on the federal level to SNAP."
Anyone with questions or suggestions about the food served in their schools, including RCSD, can contact their local district or school board.
