Monterey Peninsula is Eat Real Certified!
Pictured: Director Micha James (center) with nutrition team members.
A huge congratulations to Monterey Peninsula Unified School District for earning Eat Real certification at the Silver Tier, a milestone that has been building since they began their journey nearly three years ago.
Located in the heart of Monterey, California, their program is built on locally sourced ingredients and a commitment to sugar reduction that exceeds federal standards. This certification is a reflection of the dedication and heart the team has poured into a program that genuinely shows up for students’ health every single day.
Exceeding National Sugar Guidelines
Monterey Peninsula Unified doesn’t just meet national nutrition standards — they exceed them. The team has kept added sugars to less than 5% of total calories in a meal, well under the 10% federal mandate. That kind of standard reflects a team that is making intentional choices about what goes into every meal and why it matters for the students eating it.
Pictured: Scratch-made strawberry jelly allows the team to control sugar levels for recipes like strawberry jelly and sunflower sandwiches.
Over 40% Minimally Processed
With an average of 9 scratch-made entrees served each week, more than 40% of menu offerings are made with real, minimally processed ingredients.
Pictured: Homemade bbq chicken pizza using locally made focaccia crust and homemade sauce.
45% Locally Sourced Produce
45% of the district’s produce is locally sourced and 31% comes from small or organic farms. For a district serving 9,252 students, that is a meaningful investment in both student health and the local food community. Sourcing locally means fresher ingredients, stronger farm relationships, and a program that gives back to the region it serves.
Pictured: Miso ramen packed with a variety of local, colorful produce.
A Well-Deserved Celebration
Congratulations to Director Micha James and her entire team on this well-deserved milestone! What they have built at Monterey Peninsula Unified is a program that brings real intention to every single meal — from cutting sugar well below federal requirements to sourcing nearly half of their produce locally. Their students are healthier, better nourished, and enjoy meals made with genuine care every single day. We are so proud to celebrate this moment with them and so excited to see where this journey goes next.
