City Council members want Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina to fully digest the Lunch for Learning proposal, which calls for universal free lunches in the city's public schools.
Farina voiced concerns that the program is too costly. The initiative comes with a $24 million price tag that she says could take money away from other programs.
Public Advocate Letitia James says that is not the case, and that federal funds will not be affected. She added that City Council added funds of its own for the program.
Despite concerns, Farina says she will continue to pursue the idea. She may focus solely on middle school, because she says that is where free school lunch stigma is most heavily attached.