The Department of Education is launching a food truck pilot program next week to provide free summer meals to kids on Staten Island. The truck will be located on Victory Boulevard, near Clove Lakes Park basketball courts.
Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo has played a key role in bringing this program to life. He will kick off the initiative on August 18 at 1 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event will include local vendors, live music, and information on health resources.
The food truck will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. This service will run for 11 days, ending on August 29. Heather Butts, chair of the Staten Island Hunger Task Force and executive director of H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths, advocated for this program. She hopes it will encourage families to come out and use the truck, potentially leading to its permanence in the community.
Butts points out that Staten Island has seen a rise in food insecurity. Many families struggle to access fresh and healthy food. “This shines a light on those issues,” she shared. Meanwhile, Pirozzolo expressed his hope for strong turnout, acknowledging the bittersweet reality that high demand might expose deeper community needs.
The food truck serves children under 18 and helps fill the gap left when school meals are unavailable. In addition to the truck, there are 18 other locations across Staten Island offering free summer meals.
The city’s Free Summer Meals program is vital for countless families. As food prices rise, many parents find it hard to provide nutritious meals. A recent survey by No Kid Hungry revealed that 86% of New Yorkers believe food costs are outpacing their incomes. A staggering 63% reported their mental health has been affected by financial stress related to food.
No Kid Hungry and local organizations are actively working to fight hunger, an issue highlighted in last year’s Health and Hunger on Staten Island series, which explored food insecurity and its health implications.
For families needing assistance, they can call 311 or check the program’s website for the nearest Free Summer Meals site.
