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Nutrition services reports more than 3.1 million meals served; summer feeding, hydroponics and equipment upgrades planned
Summary
Director Sarah Phelps told the board the district’s nutrition services program (160 employees) has served 3,123,400 meals as of May 20, will begin the summer meal program June 8 at 13 sites, and is pursuing equipment upgrades, farm‑to‑school grants and hydroponic gardens.
Sarah Phelps, director of Nutrition Services, gave an annual update on meal programs, staffing, grants and equipment needs.
Phelps said the department employs 160 people and is funded entirely through nutrition‑service funds rather than the general fund. The program follows USDA meal guidelines and implemented a required 25% sugar reduction in cereals this year.
Meal programs include school breakfast, National School Lunch Program, supper programming and a summer meal outreach program that will begin June 8 with 13 approved summer sites serving children 18 and under. As of May 20 the department reported having served 3,123,400 meals year-to-date and expected a year‑end total near 3.3 million.
Phelps highlighted grant-funded initiatives: a fresh‑fruit-and-vegetable program at several school sites, a multi‑year farm‑to‑school grant that supports hydroponic (indoor) grow gardens at multiple campuses, and pilot equipment upgrades including a wrap machine at Rancho Mirage High School to expand menu options.
She also said the department plans refrigeration and oven upgrades under kitchen infrastructure funds to improve energy efficiency. Board members thanked Nutrition Services for large-scale meal delivery and healthy-meal efforts.
