Erica Malali, the new school nutrition director for RSU 5, provided an update on the district's nutrition program during a recent government meeting. Malali, who has been in her role for a short time, expressed gratitude for the support from her staff and acknowledged the contributions of her predecessor, Erin, in establishing a strong foundation for the program.

Malali outlined the goals for the upcoming school year, building on the previous year's objectives. One key focus is to evaluate equity and access to school meals across all grades, ensuring that the district's policies align with USDA regulations. A recent triennial wellness assessment confirmed that the district is compliant with these standards.

Another goal is to enhance the efficiency of nutrition program facilities, highlighted by the recent installation of a new walk-in cooler at Freeport Middle School. Malali plans to update the district's equipment inventory to reflect recent capital purchases and ensure that replacement timelines and costs are realistic.

Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 school year, Malali emphasized the importance of improving the nutritional quality of meals served in schools. She aims to reduce added sugar content in school meals in anticipation of new USDA guidelines set to take effect in July 2025. This includes specific limits on added sugars in breakfast cereals, yogurt, and flavored milk.

Additionally, Malali intends to provide professional development for her staff to increase the frequency of scratch cooking in school kitchens. This initiative is supported by recent budget adjustments that have increased staffing hours across the district. Collaborations with local vendors and farmers will also enhance the quality and diversity of ingredients used in school meals.

Participation rates in the nutrition program are reportedly stable or increasing, particularly at the high school level. Malali's efforts to implement scratch cooking and improve meal quality are expected to further encourage student participation in school meal programs.