City expands school meal program to adults

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city would expand a school-based food program to include adults. Photo via Mayor’s Office

By Rachel Vick

The city’s Department of Education expanded a school-based meal program to include adults Friday, as COVID-19 restrictions and economic impact limit New Yorkers’ access to food.

Adults will be now able to stop at 70 Queens schools on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to pick up three free meals a day. Children and families will still be able to pick up their grab-and-go meals from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

“No one will be turned away, I want to really emphasize that there's no charge and no one will be turned away,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference April 2. 

“We know people are hurting, we don't want anyone to go hungry in the City, so there's 435 places starting tomorrow, not just for kids, but for adults as well everyone, everyone who’s hungry, has a place to go to get food,” he added.

Residents of Jackson Heights told the Eagle they were to able to access meals at three schools in the neighborhood, however. P.S. 69 and P.S. 398 were closed when adults visited to pick up meals and by the time they arrived at P.S. 149, the program had ended.

“I know the city means well, but it’s not working yet,” said Jackson Heights Beautification Group President Nuala O’Doherty Naranjo.

Since the city closed schools on March 16, the meal program have served over 1 million students, according to the DOE.

Vegetarian and halal options are available. There is no registration or ID required

A full list of locations can be found online or by texting “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877

Additional reporting by David Brand