Brilla public charter schools network serves students and families in the district 7 community of the Bronx. Brilla Charter schools has established a policy in their schools stating, reusable containers could not be used by students to bring in lunch from home. Parents and families are urging Brilla charter schools to update their policies so it matches the current data and scientific information on the CDC and FDA websites. This change will allow our children to have healthy cost efficient lunches from home as an equitable option for all.

Brilla believes they create “ procedures and protocols in place so that we can keep our community safe. “ Families are asking Brilla to update their protocols on students ability to use reusable containers. The most recent science and data on Covid  documented on the CDC and FDA website state, food packaging pose no risk in viral transmission.

In the FDA’s opening paragraph it states, “ There is no credible evidence of food or food packaging associated with or as a likely source of viral transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus causing COVID-19.”

The CDC’s article on Food Safety and Coronavirus Disease 2019, it states, “ In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging. “

And lastly the peer journal signed by 125 scientists attached here blatantly states, “ Available evidence indicated that the virus spreads primarily from inhaling aerosolized droplets, rather than through contact with surfaces.”

Brilla’s reasoning behind the use of reusable containers is not current nor up to date with the CDC or FDA, hence imposing an inconvenience to families by implying we must spend money on containers DAILY that will be thrown away everyday. This is ridiculous, outrageous, inconsiderate and unjust considering the community they serve.

They provide no scientific reasoning behind the policy, however their excuse for safety fails to remain consistent given that they hand out weekly homework packets to students. Brilla sends home a homework packet weekly that is handled by teachers and students. Their decision to ban reusable containers is very questionable  given the fact that a reusable lunch container is only handled by the student who is bringing lunch. Therefore posing no threat to the community of viral transmission. Brilla staff has not been required to follow this procedure and it seems unfair and unjust to have families obey this rule.

In order to keep our communities safe, we have to practice healthy eating habits. Restricting our students to deli sandwiches daily is exhausting and limits our children’s options for positive eating experiences.

Below find links and data to support this petition. Please sign so our students and families could provide their children with a variable and healthy home cooked school lunch in a reusable container.

Based on data  from the NYSED. Org website , link below….

https://data.nysed.gov/enrollment.php?year=2019&instid=800000046647

The school district is composed of 70% Hispanic children, 26% black or Hispanic, and 4% American Indian, Asian, or white. 92% of our families are economically disadvantaged.

FDA link and CDC link below

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/covid-19-update-usda-fda-underscore-current-epidemiologic-and-scientific-information-indicating-no​

https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/newsletter/food-safety-and-Coronavirus.html