Wimberly: “You Really Can’t Learn if You’re Not Nourished”

Stresses Role of Good Nutrition during Secretary of Higher Education’s

Testimony at Assembly Budget Hearing

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic) reflected fondly at today’s Assembly Budget Committee hearing on his time as a college student at his alma mater, Virginia State University, a historically-black university that counts the 2019 National Teacher of the Year as an alumnus. Wimberly also spoke of his tenure as a public school teacher in Paterson. Following testimony from Zakiya Smith Ellis, Ph.D., Secretary of Higher Education, Wimberly stressed the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to address hunger issues on college campuses and in public schools. Wimberly stated:

“As a former college student that survived on the least expensive foods I could find, I can greatly appreciate this.

“I can’t explain to you how important this is.

“You really can’t learn if you’re not nourished. As a former homeroom teacher for nine years, when I used to see a kid walk in with a cola and a sugary pastry, that was the beginning of a disaster for my day usually.

“We have to talk about the importance of nutrients and making sure that we utilize the SNAP benefits.”