BILL NUMBER: S9565A
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing school-
based food pantries in schools in the city school district of the city
of New York
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require the chancellor of the city school district of the city of New
York to establish and maintain school-based food pantries in Schools.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 provides that the act shall be known as the "New York City
school-based food pantry act."
Section 2 sets forth legislative intent findings regarding the growing
number of children living in poverty in New York City, the prevalence of
hunger and food insecurity, and the negative impact of these conditions
on student health, attendance, behavior, and academic performance.
Section 3 amends the education law by adding a new section 2590-w,
"School-based food pantries in New York City schools," which:
Requires the chancellor to establish and maintain a school-based food
pantry program in the city school district of the city of New York and
to authorize and prioritize pantries in schools, based on indicators
such as the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price
school meals, the percentage of students who are homeless or in tempo-
rary housing, and other measurers of concentrated poverty or food inse-
curity.
-Requires that each school-based food pantry operate on the school prem-
ises during designated times on days when school is in session but shall
not interfere with required instructional time.
-Authorizes and encourages cooperation and written agreements between
schools and local food pantries, food banks, and other community-based
organizations for volunteer training and technical assistance on food
safety, inventory management, volunteer management, outreach, and
related matters, and authorizes broader citywide or borough-wide agree-
ments to coordinate donations and deliveries.
-Requires the chancellor to issue guidance addressing participant digni-
ty and confidentiality, food safety and storage, building and instruc-
tional day logistics, and culturally appropriate, nutritious options to
the extent practicable.
-Requires the chancellor, beginning with the second school year after
the effective date, to submit an annual report by January 1 to the
governor, legislative leaders, mayor, and city council, including the
number and location of high-need schools with pantries, numbers of
students and families served, and descriptions of community partner-
ships.
Section 4 provides that the act shall take effect on the one hundred
twentieth day after it becomes law and authorizes the chancellor, the
commissioner of education, the state comptroller, and the commissioner
of taxation and finance to adopt rules, regulations, and procedures and
take other necessary actions in advance of such effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Hunger and food insecurity remain persistent barriers to learning for
thousands of children in the city school district of the city of New
York. Many families struggle to afford enough nutritious food throughout
the week, and for some students, meals served in school are among the
most reliable sources of daily nutrition. When children arrive at school
hungry or go home to food-insecure households, they are more likely to
experience difficulty concentrating, disruptive behavior, chronic absen-
teeism, and lower academic performance. These challenges disproportion-
ately affect students in communities with the highest levels of poverty
and housing instability.
School-based food pantries provide a practical, dignified, and effective
strategy to address these gaps. By making nutritious food available for
students and their families to take home, school-based pantries help
stabilize household food supplies, support consistent attendance, and
complement existing school meal programs. Locating pantries directly in
high-need schools reduces transportation and scheduling barriers, and
allows trusted educators, staff, and parents to play a direct role in
outreach and distribution.
This bill recognizes that many school communities are eager to respond
to student hunger but lack resources, training, or guidance. By requir-
ing the chancellor to operate pantries at least twice per week during
the school week, and partner with experienced local food pantries and
food banks for training and technical assistance, the bill establishes a
clear framework for effective and sustainable implementation. The volun-
teer-based model allows school staff, parents, guardians, and community
members to support students directly while respecting existing labor
protections and avoiding unfunded staffing mandates.
Ensuring that children have access to adequate, nutritious food is a
foundational investment in their academic success, health, and long-term
life chances. By combining school-based leadership, community partner-
ship, and a dedicated funding stream, this bill offers a targeted and
highly impactful response to child hunger in New York City's schools.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S9565: 1148 tax law