Is School Lunch Halal?

Some students turn to halal food carts at the Junction after school to satisfy their hunger. Photo: Jerry Li

By JERRY LI and NANCY LEI

A recent petition by Daoud Mirza ‘26, Co-President of the Muslim Student Association, requesting halal food in the cafeteria has raised an interesting question: Is our school lunch halal? And if not, what can be done about it?

Halal food must be prepared while abiding Islamic regulations: before an animal is slaughtered there is a mandatory prayer recitation for it, and the animal must be killed in a humane way. 

This November in the lunchroom a member of MSA came by asking for signatures regarding the petition. Curious, we asked Principal Robert Quinlan about the school menu and were referred to Midwood’s food manager, Kerry Ann Brancho-Noel. 

“The vegetarian items are all technically halal,” Brancho-Noel said. “And there’s always the hummus, and crackers or chips.” This limits the choices for Muslim students. 

According to the Department of Education, 43 schools offer halal food across the whole state of New York, serving students in neighborhoods such as Harlem; Jamaica and Jackson Heights in Queens; and Soundview in the Bronx. The DOE has said that halal food can be added as long as the school requests it, depending on student demand. 

“Instead of pizza and the same chicken tenders, they can add different cuisines,” Ethan Henry ‘25 said. “It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, it can just be a little different than what it usually is.” 

“I would love to experience halal food,” said Daren Lin ’25. “I have a lot Muslim friends who would love the option, too.”

“Halal meat options should be added,” Shamsad Rahman ‘25 said. “Protein is needed, and meat is a great way to get protein.” 

“There are such limited options for Muslim students like myself,” said MSA Co-President Mirza. “I’m not a cow, so I’m not going to eat greens every day.”

Many non-Muslim students we spoke with expressed their willingness to try halal food and told us they believe the cafeteria menu needs some new life.

“I feel like it would be pretty good to try; you don’t really see many schools try with lunch,” said Henry. 

“I’ve had halal food before and it’s so good,” said Janetta Yanova ’25. “The boring school menu options need an upgrade.”

A halal option is possible “if that’s something that you guys are requesting and it’s something that Dr. Quinlan sees there’s a demand for,” said Brancho-Noel. "We are here to meet whatever needs the students are requesting.”