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Pullman nutrition services expands scratch cooking, plans community workshops and notes House Bill 1238 impact
Summary
Nutrition services reported grant-funded expansion of scratch-cooked menu items, community workshops for National Nutrition Month and noted that House Bill 1238 could expand free-meal eligibility for some elementary schools.
Jessica from Nutrition Services updated the Pullman Public Schools board Feb. 12 on the district’s scratch-cooking program, recent grants and a new state law change that may expand free school meals at some elementary schools.
Jessica said the district has used USDA-funded grants and OSPI Child Nutrition resources to buy steamers, test new scratch-cooked recipes and bring locally sourced items to student meals. "Tomorrow at the high school, they get roasted salmon," she said, adding the salmon is Washington‑sourced under a farm‑to‑school procurement funded through the grant.
The department is using a Healthy Meals Incentive Grant from the USDA to fund equipment purchases and community programming. Jessica described a series of free community workshops planned in March for National Nutrition Month with themes including cultural and comfort foods, cooking on a budget and local foods demonstrations. The district will partner with local chefs and WSU presenters and offer hydroponic jar kits through the Community Action Center.
Jessica said the district is also expanding plant‑based options and purchased instant‑pot style cookers to simplify scratch cooking for staff. She encouraged families to complete an online survey and attend a taste‑test open house at Lincoln Middle School on the 20th.
On policy and funding, Jessica described House Bill 1238 (HB 1238), which sets a threshold allowing K–4 schools with 30 percent or higher free‑and‑reduced‑price eligibility to qualify for free meals; she said Franklin Elementary’s October data indicates the school will qualify next year. Jessica said the district will continue to monitor fall data for annual eligibility determinations.
Board members praised the expansion and asked staff to keep the board updated as grants and program pilots proceed. No formal action was taken.
