SFUSD's Future Dining Experience

School Farm to School Table: Catalyzing a Youth Food System

Model and Strategy

The Youth Food System provides SFUSD the opportunity to develop a unique food ecosystem within the district that will enable long term growth and sustainability of the school meal program and meaningful food experiences for students. By designing a school food system that engages students in the entire food experience - farming, planning, cooking, eating- SFUSD has the opportunity to create a relevant school food culture that prompts school meal participation, promotes joyful eating experiences and provides the necessary nourishment that leads to academic and professional success. The school food ecosystem will be supported by an SFUSD Student Nutrition Services operated catering business that will provide meals to the SFUSD community prepared in partnership with the Career Technical Education Ag and Culinary programs. Revenue generated from catering sales will reduce SNS deficit caused by unpaid meal charges, redirecting funds to expand the meal program and engage students via culinary and ag education.

Impact

SFUSD’s school meal program has evolved and improved a great deal over the last five years. The district has some of the highest nutrition standards in the country and has taken many steps to ensure every student has access to a high quality, delicious meal. Dining areas are being redesigned to be more enjoyable and accessible for students. Menu items are more in line with student preferences due to continuous outreach and dialogue. The concept of school lunch is shifting dramatically within SFUSD, and we have already seen impact on student engagement at schools where programs have been implemented. We now have an exciting opportunity at a pivotal moment to “connect the dots” among our existing school farms and gardens, culinary classes, dining staff training, and meal services, and pair this work with in-progress cafeteria and kitchen renovations, to create a holistic food environment that produces delicious meals; serves them in a dignified setting; educates students and staff on how to prepare meals; and ultimately combats hunger city-wide.
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Leadership

  • Orla

    Orla O'Keeffe

    Chief of Policy & Operations, SFUSD

  • Angela

    Angela McKee-Brown

    Director of Innovation & Strategy, FDE