On Wednesday, December 7, California's first Secretary of State, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, educational leaders and a dozen parents held a roundtable press conference in Los Angeles as part of the state's School Meals for All initiative. School Meals Students typically consume more than half of their daily calories from school meals.
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said in a spirited discussion. "A grumpy stomach versus a hungry mind is not the best combination," he adds. "A hungry child will not learn."
A roundtable discussion with Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Los Angeles County Superintendent Hilda Solis met in the auditorium of John Licht High School in downtown Los Angeles to discuss the state's efforts. Sibel Newsom says that providing free meals to all California children will impact their future by giving them "access to nutritious, delicious, locally sourced foods carefully prepared to nourish growing minds and bodies."
Noting that many students in California get more than half their daily calories from school meals, he added, "That's why I'm very interested in expanding California's farm-to-school program so students have access to this fresh local fruit." and vegetables, strengthening the connection between farmers, farms and local schools."
All California public school students are now entitled to two free meals every school day. Proponents of the program say the universal free meals remove the stigma and shame that pervades cafeteria lines between those who pay and those who don't, and whose families may experience hunger and food insecurity.
With more than 400,000 students, the Los Angeles Unified School District serves approximately 600,000 people daily. About 80 percent of families live below the poverty line.
Patricia Santiago, a mother whose 12-year-old daughter attends John Lichty High School with 950 other students, said she is grateful for the free lunch program.
“It's good for them and beneficial,” Santiago said through a translator. "The food is great. The food is healthy. And I think that's important because we're here as parents, we're involved, and it means a lot to our kids."
In 2021, California became the first state in the nation to offer free, freshly prepared breakfasts and lunches to students in kindergarten through high school through the School Meals for All Coalition. The coalition consists of more than 70 organizations representing education, health, agriculture, and food banks that fight child hunger, support rural and farming communities, and work to strengthen regional school food networks and school food workers
Kat Taylor, philanthropist with School Meals for All Coalition, said: “Our continued healthy success in school meals…depends on a broad public-private partnership between government, farmers, schools, workers, philanthropists and all workers. together to provide healthy school meals for all K-12 students at all times."
Taylor added: "Such a broad coalition recognizes that if we fight together for change, we can achieve all of our individual goals."
Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Legislature have agreed to a 2022-2023 budget that includes an unprecedented investment of more than $2 billion in related programs.
These efforts include investing in school kitchen equipment and upgrades, implementing best practices and processing California-grown foods, expanding the California Farm to School Grants program, supporting the implementation of the California Healthy School Meals Program for School Food Workers and Evaluate California Schools. Food Program for All.
During the pandemic, many families went to school to eat, and California schools provided about 800 million lunches during the pandemic, State Superintendent Thurmond said. He recognized Sibel News for its role in providing healthy meals to students.
“Our first partner made it a priority to provide our students with healthy food and more food,” Thurmond said. "She is a strong advocate for mental health and works closely with us in our efforts to provide comprehensive support for California students."
The eating plan includes salads and fresh fruit and avoids saturated fat and fried foods. Replaced white rice with brown rice. And there are vegan and vegetarian food options.
To learn about students' favorite or least favorite foods, K-12 students gathered before the start of the 2022 school year to sample the foods offered.
"Overall, the kids loved it," Carvalho said. “They love kung pao chicken…they love smoothies. They are great in many ways. The girl told me. "It's very good, but it needs more sauce." So we went back to the kitchen. Through our Parent Academy, we help parents make better decisions about what to buy and how to cook, so there's no difference between what their children eat at home and at school."