New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor David C. Banks were joined by No Kid Hungry New York to recognize 32 “Hunger Heroes” across each of the city’s school districts. Each Hunger Hero has gone above and beyond in the last year to help provide more kids access to healthy meals, especially during the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Hunger Heroes include cooks, aides, and food service workers — those on the front lines of fighting hunger in schools.
With one in four children in New York City facing hunger this year, the people who prepare, serve and plan school meals are some of the most important people confronting this crisis. New York City’s food services staff serve more than 800,000 meals every day.
“The real heroes don’t wear capes — they wear aprons and gloves,” said Mayor Adams. “The school workers who have gone above and beyond to ensure our children don’t go hungry have delivered for our children, day after day, because when our children eat right, we can help them live up to their potential, inside and outside the classroom. These Hunger Heroes deserve our respect and gratitude, but we still have a long way to go. That’s why we are joining the Mayors’ Alliance to End Child Hunger and taking action to provide all of New York’s children with healthy food options.”
“Our food service employees are all true heroes — they are continuing to show up, even throughout the pandemic, to make sure that our young people are well-fed and taken care of each day. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor,” said DOE Chancellor Banks. “I know I speak on behalf of all our New York City families and school communities when I say thank you for all you do every day to be heroes for our young people.”
“I am grateful every day for the commitment of the school food workers serving healthy meals to our city’s children,” said Kate MacKenzie, executive director, Mayor’s Office of Food Policy. “These ‘Hunger Heroes’ — like Mohammed Uddin of District 20, where my two kids attend school — are to be celebrated for the work they do, and I am thrilled to join the mayor and the chancellor in recognizing them today.”
