Spreckels Union School District

It is well established that school meals have a profound effect on student learning. Importantly, research demonstrates that school lunch participation is associated with a 14 percent reduction in the risk of food insufficiency among households with at least one child receiving a school lunch. Providing students with nutritious school meals from a compliant school nutrition program helps ensure that students receive the necessary nutrition for optimal classroom performance. Decades of research have shown that students who participate in school breakfast programs, for example, have improved attendance, behavior, academic performance, and academic achievement, as well as decreased tardiness. We intend to support learning by promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition and fitness practices.

Spreckels Union School District participates in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The district will still be requesting School Funding Forms from households with a student enrolled in the district.  However, receipt of free breakfast and lunch meals does not depend on returning the form.

 

All school meals follow the standards set by the USDA. Whole grains, lean proteins, dairy, and fresh fruits and vegetables comprise the meals that provide students with the nutrition they need for learning and lifelong good nutrition. Current guidelines for lunch require us to offer five components daily: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meat/meat alternatives, and milk. A student must take at least 3 of the five required components, and at least 1 of those three must be a fruit or vegetable. A vegetarian option is offered daily. With our new partnership, our goal is to ensure that our students receive the best possible nutrition. 

 

Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, we are pleased to announce our partnership with Ordo, America’s fastest-growing school lunch program centered on fresh, from-scratch meals prepared in local businesses. For Spreckels Union, our meals will be prepared by Amapola Catering, a local Salinas kitchen, and delivered fresh and ready to serve daily.