September 2024
In 1946, the National School Lunch Act became federal law and created the National School Lunch Program. The program provides low-cost or free school meals (breakfast and lunch) to qualified students. When the program was launched, many schools did not have the facilities available to provide lunches nor the financial resources to provide a daily meal to thousands of children. These programs had a significant impact on larger and rural districts. Through the years, legislation was adopted to meet the needs of the schools and state. The National School Lunch Program has grown significantly and today serves nearly 30 million children nationwide every school day.
In an effort to prioritize healthy nutritional choices, President John F. Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in 1962 through the signing of a joint proclamation with Congress designating the second full week of October to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom. This year National School Lunch Week, #NSLW24, will be celebrated October 14 - 18, 2024.
At the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, our Nutrition Services staff play an instrumental role in educating, informing, and providing nutritious meals for students through our school cafes and Production Kitchen located in Seaside. Research demonstrates that partaking in a healthy breakfast and lunch enables students to focus and meet the academic and physical rigors of school. For many MPUSD students, the meals they receive at school are sometimes the best or only meal they will get each day. Without food, students cannot learn.
Many MPUSD cafe staff know your child by name, as well as their eating habits. They care deeply about your child and take great pride in their work to offer nutritious meals. MPUSD is home to 77 employees in the Nutrition Services department and across school sites.
Take a moment during National School Lunch week to recognize MPUSD’s cooks, servers, clerks, and delivery drivers who are committed to feeding our students and running a safe and healthy food service program.