Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey office applauds the introduction of legislation in the New Jersey State Assembly that would expand free breakfast to every student in New Jersey.

For many families, rising food prices and other household expenses have made it increasingly difficult to keep up with the cost of feeding their children. Expanding access to free school breakfast would help ease that burden while ensuring that more students begin their school day with the nutrition they need to learn and thrive.

Agudath Israel expresses its appreciation to Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin for introducing the legislation and to Assemblyman Avi Schnall for his efforts to ensure that nonpublic school students, including those attending yeshivas and Jewish day schools, are included in the legislation.

This inclusion is particularly important for Jewish day schools and yeshivas, where the higher cost of kosher food can make school meal programs more difficult to operate.

“Every child deserves to begin the school day with a nutritious breakfast, regardless of their family’s income or the school they attend,” said Shlomo Schorr, legislative director of Agudath Israel’s New Jersey office. “At a time when families are struggling with rising food prices and the cost of living, expanding access to free school breakfast is an important step toward addressing food insecurity and helping children succeed in the classroom.”

“Agudath Israel expresses its appreciation to Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin for introducing this important legislation and recognizing the need to expand access to school breakfast,” Schorr added. “We are especially grateful to Assemblyman Avi Schnall for working to ensure that nonpublic school students are included. Yeshiva and Jewish day school families face the same economic pressures as other families, and their children deserve equal access to these important nutritional benefits.”

Agudath Israel’s New Jersey office looks forward to continuing to work with Speaker Coughlin, Assemblyman Schnall and other legislative leaders to advance policies that address food insecurity and ensure that children throughout New Jersey have access to nutritious meals.