In time for Farm to School Month this October, campuses across the state are celebrating an impact on child nutrition as school districts serve more school meals featuring California-grown fruits and vegetables.
New data shows student participation in California’s free “School Meals for All” program increased by 42 million meals in the 2023-24 school year, according to a news release.
“All students deserve nourishing meals at school,” Alexa Norstad, executive director of the Center for Ecoliteracy, a nonprofit that advances change in TK–12 education and school food systems, said in the release. “California produces nearly half of our nation’s fruits and vegetables, yet students’ access to this abundance is limited in our school food systems. We’re proud to celebrate reaching more students with fresh produce from local farmers.”
California was the first state in the nation to provide all transitional kindergarten to 12th grade public school students with universal school meals, guaranteeing free school breakfast and lunch for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status. With this progress, it is more important than ever that school districts prioritize relationships with California farmers, source local fruits and vegetables, and prepare delicious meals that students love, the release said.
“Partnership has been key to the success of California Farm to School and universal school meals,” first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said. “By connecting local farmers, school districts, and nonprofits, we’re moving away from over-processed school food to fresh, nutritious, and delicious school meals sourced from local ingredients; we’re also inspiring the next generation of climate stewards. The Center for Ecoliteracy has been a steadfast partner in ensuring more and more California students have access to nutritious meals as well as education about the origins of their food and food systems.”
The Center for Ecoliteracy’s California Food for California Kids Network supports schools to serve more fresh and local school meals and provide food education for students. This month marks the 10th year of the network, which has grown to over 140 school districts serving 2.3 million students throughout California. With a decade of experience in transforming school meals, the California Food for California Kids Network shows that while change takes time, sourcing local fruits and vegetables is a proven strategy to accelerate district-wide farm to school programs, the release said.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in California’s food system,” said Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “The Center for Ecoliteracy’s California Food for California Kids Network demonstrates what’s possible when schools commit to purchasing more fresh and local foods from area small farmers for their cafeterias and classrooms. Children are nourished, the local economy benefits and lifelong relationships with local farmers and their healthy food can be established.”
In honor of the 10th year of the California Food for California Kids Network, campuses throughout the state will host events within their school community to celebrate the beauty and bounty of California with local fruits and vegetables, food education and nutritious school meals, the release said.
