Big Changes Coming to Buffalo Public School Lunches

There will be a few big changes coming to some Buffalo public school cafeterias.

A new pilot program featuring halal meals will begin in September at eight schools.

WKBW reports Dr. Will Keresztes, Buffalo Public Schools Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs, Planning, and Community Engagement, made the announcement during the Buffalo Common Council Education Committee meeting.

The halal meals will be served at these schools, with plans to expand to all Buffalo public schools eventually:

 

School #6 - Buffalo Elementary School of Technology
School #45 - International School
School #94 - West Hertel Academy
School #95 - Waterfront Elementary School
School #207 - Lafayette International High School
School #198 - International Prep at Grover
School #304 - Hutchinson Central Technical High School
School #197 - Math Science Technology Preparatory School

The initiative for the program came in response to a letter sent to Common Council members by Atiqur Rahman of Buffalo Muslim Community Services, reports WKBW:

“The letter was addressed to council member Bollman and myself because we have a large Muslim population in our districts," Nowakowski said in a February interview with WKBW. "We were able to, after reading this letter, understand the importance and significance of halal lunch options.”

Halal is an Arabic word that means "lawful." For practicing Muslims, all meats must be prepared in a halal way.