School nutrition directors and school food advocates call for robust investments in enhanced state meal reimbursements, kitchen infrastructure, and more freshly prepared California-grown school meals.
With inflationary prices squeezing family and school nutrition budgets, ongoing supply chain disruptions, and federal child nutrition waivers set to expire in less than 30 days, California’s School Meals For All Coalition commends the Legislature and Governor for understanding the need for bold investments to build a stronger, more resilient school food economy. The coalition urges the passage of the final state budget this month that prioritizes local procurement, kitchen upgrades, and support for nutrition staff and programs.
“California’s joint budget agreement includes ripe investments in staff capacity, California procurement, and kitchen infrastructure to help schools and farmers get more fresh, local ingredients on our kids’ plates,” said Kat Taylor, co-founder of TomKat Ranch, which co-sponsored School Meals for All. “With Congress unable to extend federal waivers that gave schools flexibility and higher meal reimbursements, we urge the Governor and Legislature to commit to transformational change for healthier, California-grown school food.”
