Organic Life says district served about 1.2 million meals as participation rose

Connor Atiaga, Organic Life’s food service director, told the board the company has increased student participation and expanded meal choices since becoming the district’s food-service partner in 2024. "Over the past two school years, we've worked together to create a nutrition program that students are genuinely excited about," he said, and cited an increase in breakfasts served from about 480,000 in the first year to 506,000 in the most recent year.

Atiaga said lunch participation rose by roughly 9,000 compared with the prior school year and that the district’s total meals served — counting breakfast, lunch and other programs — reached about 1,200,000, an increase of nearly 41,000 meals even as enrollment dipped slightly. He told the board the district has expanded fresh fruit and vegetable offerings, added new high‑school food stations (designed like a multi-station court), launched a pizza‑challenge program for culinary students and expanded an after‑school supper program and summer lunch service.

Board members asked where to find the district contract with Organic Life; one member noted the contract was approved in May. Atiaga said the contractor responds quickly to operational issues (citing an example of peeled fruit for kindergarteners) and emphasized that student feedback, taste tests and student leadership groups informed menu changes. "If there's something going on, we want to fix it tomorrow," he said. The presentation closed with the district thanking Organic Life for donated catering at a recent school opening and for work recommended to continue into the next school year.