Getting an assist from basketball great Shaquille O'Neal, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Friday that the city will raise the nutritional value of meals served to seniors, students and the homeless.

Speaking in a Washington Heights school, the mayor said city agencies will now phase in some new nutritional standards. Items like french fries will be phased out and replaced by more vegetables, water and fruit juices.

The city serves up 225 million meals annually in schools, senior centers and soup kitchens.

"It will be a great cost saver because if people eat healthier they will be healthier and we won't have to help them through some of the most difficult times they will ever experience -- heart disease, lung cancer and other things," said Bloomberg.

O’Neal was front and center for the cause, but he also put a more national matter at center court.

“Kids, kids, say [to the mayor], ‘Will you please run for president next time? Louder, say it again,” joked O’Neal.

When Bloomberg was asked if he regretted not running, he said he most regretted not becoming a basketball star.