State of School Meal Programs in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, School Year 2022-2023
School meals are integral to student health and learning. Universal school meals, where all students can eat for free, have been shown to improve student diet quality, academic performance, attendance and to reduce food insecurity.
The 2022-2023 school year was the first year of implementation of California’s Free School Meals for All policy, where all students in California, regardless of income eligibility, are able to eat breakfast and lunch for free in perpetuity. Across San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, 235,000 students became newly eligible for free school meals and this policy change represents a substantial opportunity to improve food security for children and families. During School Year 2022-2023 school meal programs stopped operating under COVID-era USDA waivers and fully operationalized California’s policy. This report details food service directors' experiences during the first year of implementation. READ MORE
Cafeteria Promotion - Taste Tests
Resources, tips, and more are available to help implement and sustain taste tests in your school. Download the full Taste Test Guide here: Cafeteria Promotion Flyer
Why School Breakfasts Matter
This fact sheet provides information on the benefits of school breakfast and alternative breakfast service models to help increase breakfast participation: School Breakfast Fact Sheet
Universal Meals Resource Hub
Online resources to support food service directors and staff in implementing California's universal school meals program. Click here.
Universal School Meals in California
All public school children in California can eat school meals – totally free of charge! School meals support student learning and health. Universal meals, where all students can eat school meals for free, have been shown to improve student diet quality, academic performance, attendance, and to reduce food insecurity. See below to learn more about school meals.
FAQ for Parents & Caregivers
See answers to frequently asked questions about the healthfulness of school meals, how students access meals, and what families can do to support a healthy school nutrition environment.
Fact Sheets
This fact sheet provides in-depth information on school nutrition standards, how California’s universal meals program will work, and challenges facing school food service directors.
Other Reports on School Meals
Contact Us
Laura Vollmer, Nutrition, Family & Consumer Sciences Advisor
Phone: 650-276-7429
Email: lvollmer@ucanr.edu
-> Full list of Nutrition Education Staff
