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SFUSD presents central‑kitchen plan; bond funds to upgrade McAteer and Marina kitchens
Summary
Student Nutrition Services outlined a culinary vision that increases freshly prepared meals, local procurement and staff training; $4.5M at McAteer and $2M at Marina are planned as part of 2016 GO bond-funded upgrades to prototype a central kitchen and professional development spaces.
SAN FRANCISCO — The district’s Student Nutrition Services updated the Board of Education on Dec. 11 about plans to expand freshly prepared meals, strengthen local procurement and invest in kitchen facilities and staff development.
Executive Director Jennifer Labarre said the district is pursuing a model with one district central kitchen supported by finishing kitchens at more than 90 school sites. The McAteer culinary center will be upgraded as a prototype central kitchen, built to a capacity of 5,000 meals per day (current production from the site is about 1,400), and include a professional development facility for dining staff; the project start is scheduled for April 2019 and the bond allocation is $4.5 million.
Labarre described local purchasing pilot items already in use—strawberries from coastal farms, rice from Sacramento producers and organic ground beef from a Sonoma supplier—and noted student taste tests that produced more than 20 new menu recipes for 2018–19. Chef Josh Davidson, SNS culinary lead, said district staff have produced successfully sourced, locally prepared menu items with positive student reaction.
The Marina kitchen will receive about $2 million for renovations to support school catering and professional development and to create a potential revenue stream to help sustain SNS operations. Labarre said most high schools will remain self‑supporting while the central kitchen will provide bulk items and finishing support to sites that currently rely on prepackaged meals.
Commissioners praised the focus on workforce stability (converting many positions to permanent roles), local procurement and the long‑term goal of career pathways connecting CTE programs and SNS operations.
