Cypress highlights 'scratch cooking' program, applies for Golden Bell Award

The Cypress School District showcased its "Scratch Cooking" child nutrition program during the board's May 8 meeting and said the district has applied for the California Golden Bell Award.

Executive director of human resources Tracy Moran Lawrence introduced the retiree recognition portion of the meeting and called Superintendent Solas and Board President Troy Tanaka to the front; later in the meeting Barbara Romero, identified as providing the Child Nutrition report, said the district is "on track for doing over half 1000000 meals combined in June this year with lower enrollment" and that staff are returning to on-site scratch cooking using new equipment such as tilt skillets.

District staff described recent menu changes introduced this year, including a vegetarian pasta bake and the addition of kimchi and other fresh fruits and vegetables on salad bars. Romero said the program is partnering with organizations including Brigade and the ChefFound Foundation for pre-apprenticeship support and that Old Grove (a Redding, California farm partner) is supplying fresh produce.

Superintendent Solas told the board the district is submitting an application for the Golden Bell Award for the Scratch Cooking initiative, emphasizing menu improvements, nutrition education, and organic waste recycling. The district also plans to move to compostable trays and expand recycling efforts in the coming school year.

Why it matters: School meals influence student health, participation in school nutrition programs and district budgets. Officials said the program aims to maintain or grow participation despite declining enrollment through fresher menus, partnerships, and sustainability measures.

Next steps: The district will continue menu rollouts, track participation and waste-reduction metrics, and await the Golden Bell Award decision.