By: Pamela Honey
On December 2nd, during the City Hall hearing for Int. 641, the Healthy Kids’ Meal Bill, TFFJ’s Food Policy interns Keiara, Manpreet, and Ethan stepped up as powerful advocates for change. This important legislation proposes making healthy food options the default choice in kids’ meals across NYC.
Keiara delivered compelling testimony in person, while Manpreet and Ethan submitted thoughtful written remarks to amplify their voices. Their advocacy underscores the role of youth in shaping a healthier, more equitable food system with the invaluable support of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
Watch Keiara’s testimony and read Manpreet and Ethan’s remarks below.
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Ethan’s Testimony:
“My name is Ethan, and I am a senior attending the High School for Law, Advocacy, and Community Justice and one of three food policy interns for Teens for Food Justice.
TFFJ is a non-profit organization that teaches students how to grow and cook vegetables through school-based, hydroponic farming and teaches us how to work together as a community to promote healthier lifestyles.
So far this school year, the hydroponic farm at my school has brought together over 125 students, and we have grown nearly 2,700 pounds of healthy food. We share this food with nearby neighborhoods, the school cafeteria, and with students to take home.
During my time on the farm at school, I’ve seen that teens’ mental and physical health benefits from having healthier options easily accessible to them.
I stand here before you to encourage the City Council to pass Intro 641 so that young children can also benefit from having more healthier foods in their restaurants. Healthy options give children better resources to live long lives.
If there is one thing I’ve learned from being part of TFFJ, it is that in order to grow as a community, you need to work as a community. Advancing this bill is an excellent way to work as a community to do better for our children.
I hope I have inspired you as TFFJ has done to me in order to pass the Bill (Intro 641), to help our communities, and children of our future.”
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Manpreet’s Testimony:
“My name is Manpreet K., and I’m a junior at the High School for Law, Advocacy, and Community Justice on the MLK Campus. Also currently interning with Teens for Food Justice, a nonprofit organization that works to address food insecurity by building hydroponic farms in public schools and promote healthier food systems for young people.
Today, I am here to speak in support of the Intro 641 bill, a bill aimed at improving the nutritional quality of meals served to children in restaurants by reducing excessive sodium and sugar intake.
The health of our children should be a top priority. Unfortunately, many kids meals today are loaded with too much salt and sugar, both of which contribute to serious health problems. Excess sodium is linked to high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, and heart disease. On the other hand, high sugar consumption is a major contributor to childhood obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions that affect kids’ long-term health.
This bill is important because it directly targets these issues by limiting sodium levels in meals and encouraging healthier food options. By reducing sodium, we can prevent the development of serious health conditions and improve the overall well-being of our students. This bill helps ensure that children are not only getting enough food, but the right food—food that will fuel their growth, support their learning, and set them on a path to healthier lives.
As someone who has been working with Teens for Food Justice since 2023, I’ve seen the positive impact that healthier meals can have on young people. Nutritious food helps them be more focused, more energetic, and more likely to succeed in school. We need to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to meals that support their health and well-being.
Passing this bill is a step toward creating a healthier future for all children. It is a step toward making sure that kids’ meals don’t just fill their stomachs, but also help them grow strong, healthy, and ready to succeed.
I urge you to support and pass Intro 641, because healthier kids meals today mean healthier, more successful children tomorrow.
Thank you for your time and consideration.”
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The heartfelt testimonies from Ethan, Manpreet, and Keiara reflect how Teens for Food Justice empowers young people to advocate for systemic change in their communities. Through TFFJ’s programs, students don’t just learn about hydroponic farming and nutrition; they become leaders in the fight for equitable food systems. Their experiences—growing fresh produce, sharing it with peers and neighbors, and advocating for policies like Int. 641—highlight how TFFJ fosters youth-driven solutions to food insecurity and builds a generation of changemakers, driving a healthier, more equitable future for all.
You can join them in advocating for healthier options by telling the NYC Council: We Want Healthier Options for Kids at Restaurants! Use the button below to take action.
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Pamela Honey is the Communications & Content Coordinator at Teens For Food Justice.
