NYC Council Introduction 987

intro.nyc/0987-2024 2024-2025 Legislative Session Enacted
Pilot program to develop and distribute educational materials regarding the reduction of surplus food in public schools.
Sponsored by Rita C. Joseph
Introduced: July 18, 2024

This bill would require the NYC Department of Education (DOE), and an office or agency designated by the mayor, to establish a pilot program to develop and distribute educational materials to students and staff regarding the reduction of surplus food in public schools, the benefits of food waste diversion, and the role of students and staff in diverting organic matter from landfills. In developing such materials, the designated office or agency would be required to consult with local education and sustainability officials. This bill would also require DOE to distribute such educational materials to students and staff twice per year, for a two-year period. DOE would also be required to report any challenges encountered during the pilot program’s implementation and recommendations for its future, as well as an evaluation of any methods identified to reduce the instances in which food ordered by a school becomes surplus food.

Approved by Committee December 18, 2025

Committee on Education Votes 7:0:0
Rita C. Joseph (Affirmative)
Eric Dinowitz (Affirmative)
James F. Gennaro (Absent)
Jennifer Gutiérrez (Affirmative)
Shahana K. Hanif (Medical)
Kamillah Hanks (Absent)
Shekar Krishnan (Absent)
Linda Lee (Affirmative)
Farah N. Louis (Absent)
Mercedes Narcisse (Absent)
Pierina Ana Sanchez (Affirmative)
Lynn C. Schulman (Affirmative)
Althea V. Stevens (Affirmative)

Approved by Council December 18, 2025

Votes 47:0:1
Adrienne E. Adams (Affirmative)
Diana I. Ayala (Affirmative)
Shaun Abreu (Affirmative)
Joann Ariola (Affirmative)
Alexa Avilés (Affirmative)
Chris Banks (Affirmative)
Erik D. Bottcher (Affirmative)
Justin L. Brannan (Affirmative)
Gale A. Brewer (Affirmative)
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (Affirmative)
Tiffany L. Cabán (Affirmative)
David M. Carr (Absent)
Carmen N. De La Rosa (Affirmative)
Eric Dinowitz (Affirmative)
Harvey D. Epstein (Affirmative)
Amanda C. Farías (Affirmative)
Simcha Felder (Affirmative)
Oswald J. Feliz (Affirmative)
James F. Gennaro (Affirmative)
Jennifer Gutiérrez (Affirmative)
Shahana K. Hanif (Affirmative)
Kamillah Hanks (Absent)
Robert F. Holden (Affirmative)
Crystal Hudson (Affirmative)
Rita C. Joseph (Affirmative)
Shekar Krishnan (Affirmative)
Linda Lee (Affirmative)
Farah N. Louis (Affirmative)
Kristy Marmorato (Affirmative)
Christopher Marte (Affirmative)
Darlene Mealy (Negative)
Julie Menin (Affirmative)
Frank Morano (Affirmative)
Francisco P. Moya (Affirmative)
Mercedes Narcisse (Affirmative)
Sandy Nurse (Affirmative)
Chi A. Ossé (Affirmative)
Vickie Paladino (Affirmative)
Keith Powers (Affirmative)
Lincoln Restler (Affirmative)
Kevin C. Riley (Affirmative)
Yusef Salaam (Affirmative)
Rafael Salamanca, Jr. (Affirmative)
Pierina Ana Sanchez (Affirmative)
Lynn C. Schulman (Affirmative)
Althea V. Stevens (Affirmative)
Sandra Ung (Affirmative)
Inna Vernikov (Affirmative)
Nantasha M. Williams (Affirmative)
Julie Won (Affirmative)
Susan Zhuang (Absent)

Sponsors: 22