Eat REAL’s fourth cohort represents 118,800 students in California. This cohort represents the diversity of the state and is led by inspiring Directors working to raise the bar for school food. They are champions at working around the many barriers in school food, serving delicious and nutritious meals that help students build a better relationship with real food. By working with Eat Real, these districts will gain powerful insights into their individual programs to guide them toward their goals.
Fresno Unified School District
Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) serves over 72,000 students in Central California.
FUSD is the third largest district in California, serving tens of thousands of nutritious and kid-approved meals daily. Their Nutrition Services department goes beyond the cafeteria, providing nutrition education and support to their greater community. Over the years, they have worked hard to strengthen farm-to-school programming on a massive scale, working with small to midsized farms throughout the region. Through Eat Real Certification, the district is looking forward to helping remove the stigma around school food and being a force in shifting our food system.
Natomas Unified School District
Natomas Unified School District (NUSD) serves over 15,000 students in Northern California.
NUSD works closely with its greater community in Northern Sacramento to ensure that everyone thrives. They are no strangers to partnering with other organizations and are guided by what will serve their students, staff, and community best. The district is already a farm-to-school champion, leveraging its relationships to help students have a better connection and understanding of the food they eat. By partnering with Eat Real, NUSD is looking forward to continuing its work in building relationships and a stronger network throughout the school food ecosystem.
San Ramon Valley Unified School District
San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) serves 31,000 students in San Ramon, California.
SRVUSD excels in meeting the dietary and cultural needs of its diverse student population. Their menus are designed to bring students together by sharing delicious and nutritious meals that meet their needs and bring them joy. This year, they brought in a full-time chef to increase scratch cooking and bring their menus to the next level. By working with Eat Real, the district is looking forward to not only raising the bar for school food in their community but setting an example for how districts can leverage school meals to foster a sense of belonging among students in school.
