Lake Forest nutrition staff report sharp rise in summer meals, explain farm-to-school beef purchases

Lake Forest School District child nutrition staff reported at the Oct. 9 school board meeting that summer meal and snack programs expanded sharply this year and described recent Farm to School purchases intended to increase local, less‑processed food in student meals.

The district’s child nutrition presenter told trustees the summer feeding program served about 17,000 additional meals this year, capping at roughly 28,000 summer meals, while the after‑school snack program increased about 44% year over year. The presenter said those increases reflect expanded distribution and program outreach and noted that higher federal reimbursement tied to the district’s community eligibility status helped pay for equipment and program costs.

“The summer program shot up a 150%. So we’ve really just skyrocketed on that one with 17,000 additional meals,” the child nutrition presenter said.

District staff also described a multi‑year Farm to School effort to buy locally produced beef at the state fair auction. Staff said the district purchased one animal in the first year, two last year and four this year. The presenter said community members had asked whether the roughly $20,000 cost of those purchases came from referendum funds; the presenter told the board it did not. “Our money is not from the referendum,” the presenter said, adding the purchases were competitive on price after processing and allowed the district to support local farmers and FFA students.

Staff flagged several other programs and partnerships: the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable grant at elementary schools, after‑school snack service under CACFP for clubs and tutoring, a life‑skills classroom collaboration that places students in kitchen and packaging tasks, and special events such as National School Lunch Week and holiday “celebrity server” volunteer meals.

The presenter said the district receives federal reimbursements and USDA food, state support for labor, and some income from a la carte and catering. The district’s community eligibility provision — driven by direct certification rates that the presenter said rose to about 47% after changes in Medicaid tracking — allows free breakfast and lunch for all students and reduces paperwork and stigma for families.

Board members thanked the department for outreach and programming. The presentation did not include a formal board action; board business later in the evening covered separate personnel and financial resolutions.

The child nutrition presenter identified internal partnerships and named Marble Farms as a donor of watermelon for a recent tasting event. The presenter also noted dietetic internship placements and continuing efforts to expand fresh and local offerings across schools.