Nutrition staff report bigger participation, new state rules squeeze procurement choices

Director Christina Casares and coordinator Sandra Duarte presented a detailed update on the district's student nutrition services, including participation, audits, procurement constraints and menu changes under new state and federal guidance. Duarte said the program serves over one million meals per year and more than 6,000 meals daily across five schools, supported by roughly 55 staff. "Over the course of the year, we served over 1000000," she said, adding that daily participation exceeds 6,000 students districtwide.

Casares and Duarte highlighted that the program just completed an audit with zero findings and emphasized regulatory pressures: USDA and California rules are pushing a stronger "buy American" preference and lower sodium and added-sugar limits, including changes that will affect cereal, yogurt and flavored milk choices. They described operational constraints (menu software, condiment analysis) and how programmatic changes are being piloted (hard-boiled eggs for breakfast, speed-line service to shorten serving times). Trustees asked about costs, domestic sourcing limits and outreach to boost participation; staff said they use social media, coach outreach and freshman orientations to encourage meal uptake.