South Colonie CSD adds Halal meals to food menus

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — South Colonie Central School District is adding Halal meals to its lunch menus, the district announced on Jan. 10. School officials said the initiative aims to further the district's commitment to inclusivity and cultural diversity.

"Halal" is an Arabic word that generally refers to things — or, in this case, food or beverages — that are acceptable under the religious teachings of Islam. Halal food is prepared in particular ways that follow Islamic rules. No pork or alcohol is allowed, and animals intended for consumption must be slaughtered following specific procedures and conditions.

The new Halal meals, which were introduced at the beginning of January following community feedback, have already piqued the interest of many students. Over 300 Halal meals were requested at the middle and high schools during the first week, Superintendent of Schools David Perry said.

“This enthusiastic response underscores the importance of listening to our community and implementing changes that truly support our students’ needs,” Perry said. 

To educate the school community about Halal food, two students from the Sand Creek Broadcast Club, Nuzhat Bhuiyan and Sahara Saif, created a video announcement that was shown to the students. The two introduced the concept of Halal food and explained its significance in the Muslim community.

“This project was a wonderful opportunity for our students to combine their creativity with their passion for advocacy,” said Shaunna Pastuszak, the advisor of the Broadcast Club. “Nuzhat and Sahara did an excellent job of using their platform to highlight an important addition to our schools and help foster greater cultural understanding.” 

The meals are currently only offered at the middle and high schools. The district plans to expand the initiative to elementary schools in the spring.