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Ventura Unified examines replacing plastic sporks as food services weigh costs and student input
Summary
Food and Nutrition Director Cara Manise told the board the district serves roughly 5,000 breakfasts and 7,000 lunches daily and is exploring compostable or dispenser utensils; switching away from wrapped plastic sporks could raise annual costs by roughly $177,000, and staff proposed student engagement and pilots before any large operational changes.
Ventura Unified’s Food and Nutrition director presented program operations, funding and options for reducing single‑use plastic at school meals, including alternatives to wrapped plastic sporks.
Cara Manise said the district currently serves about 5,000 breakfasts and 7,000 lunches per day and that food and supply costs have risen sharply. She told trustees the district bought 725 cases of wrapped plastic sporks last school year ("we purchased 725 cases last school…
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