Gov: No more ‘lunch shame’

ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo is out to stop “lunch shaming.”

In the latest rollout of initiatives to be included in next week’s State of the State address, Cuomo on Thursday unveiled plans to curb student hunger, including measures to prevent public humiliation of children who receive free lunches.

Dubbed the “No Student Goes Hungry Program,” Cuomo’s initiative calls for, among other steps, a law that prohibits “any public act that humiliates a student who cannot afford lunch.”

The law would target such practices as requiring free lunch recipients to wear special bracelets or stickers, or the calling of their names over a loud speaker.

Cuomo’s program would also expand the time that students in high-need schools can receive breakfast.

Under the program, schools with more than 70% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches would also need to provide breakfast after the school day has begun.

“Lunch shaming” is no longer an issue in New York City public schools — the de Blasio administration began making free lunches available for all students in September.