The Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District agreed to move forward on a revision to its food and nutrition program at a June 14 board meeting, allocating money to improve Malibu HS and Samohi kitchens as well as offering more food and food purchasing options for students.
To increase participation and revenue, the program proposed many options: freshly preparing meals at revamped Samohi and Malibu High School kitchens (an estimated $700k cost to replace kitchen equipment) to be distributed throughout the district, beginning in a pilot program; grab and go meals of freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, and yogurt parfaits; kiosk-like locations to reduce waiting times for students during lunch breaks; student-driven menus, and rebranding the program.
All of these options would include more food options for students, including vegan, gluten free, and fresh items. The district notes that although they will integrate these healthier options, they currently offer healthy food based on laws and guidelines that they follow.
Freshly prepared meals at the revamped kitchens of Samohi and Malibu HS would be a pilot program. The program would deliver precooked meals to some schools in the district before branching out to all. A timeframe for the pilot has not been finalized.
“Students need to be provided with healthier options so that they’re ready for the classroom,” said little Emmy Sebers, who couldn’t have been more than 10 years old. “If we get healthier foods, students will know what to eat to make them stronger and taller and our minds will be prepared. If food is changed, students will be ready for class and will have healthier bodies. You should change food for healthier lives.”
To read more of Angel Carreras' article, please click here.
Comments (0)