San Luis Coastal Unified School District Makes History with Eat Real Platinum Tier Certification
Pictured: A real school lunch at San Luis Coastal Unified (SLCUSD).
San Luis Coastal Unified School District has become the first district in the country to achieve Eat Real certification at the Platinum Tier.
Some milestones mark the end of a journey. This one marks something more — a glimpse into what school food can become when a school district and a mission-led organization refuse to settle for anything less than the best for students.
Since beginning their Eat Real journey in Fall 2021, San Luis Coastal has helped lead the way as one of our earliest district partners. Their certification is more than a milestone for the district. It’s a milestone for school food, showing what’s possible when real food takes center stage in cafeterias.
Pictured left to right: Erin Primer (SLCUSD) with Eat Real Directors Kristin Zellhart and Jiwon Jun during an Eat Real site visit in 2021.
A partnership built on a shared belief
Platinum Certification is not achieved overnight. It is built through years of incremental, and deeply intentional decisions.
San Luis Coastal says that Eat Real’s standards gave them a “line in the sand” — a benchmark for every menu decision, including declining to use any grain product with more than 6 grams of added sugar per ounce equivalent.
That philosophy extends all the way to breakfast, where instead of your typical breakfast syrup, the team makes their own. Fresh blueberries and maple extract are simmered to perfection to create a delicious sweet syrup that proves they don’t have to sacrifice flavor to cut sugar.
Pictured: SLCUSD student enjoying blueberry syrup with french toast sticks for breakfast.
From the very beginning, this has been a true partnership. San Luis Coastal didn’t just achieve Eat Real certification, they helped shape what Eat Real is today. Their questions pushed our standards further. Their commitment raised the bar for what we believed was achievable. And their results proved that the highest tier of certification was not just an aspiration.
“The entire San Luis Coastal team has shown what’s possible when creativity, teamwork, and a refusal to settle for the status quo. We’re honored to celebrate their Platinum Certification and grateful for their thoughtful partnership”
— Jiwon Jun, Eat Real Senior Director, K-12 Program
The leader behind the work
At the center of this achievement is Director of Food & Nutrition Services Erin Primer, whose passion for school food is deeply personal. Growing up with a single mother, Erin saw firsthand how nourishing meals can shape a family’s well-being. That experience inspired her to pursue school food, where she could help students feel cared for, fuel their potential, and build a foundation for a healthier future.
Pictured: Director of Food & Nutrition Services at SLCUSD, Erin Primer admiring hydroponic garden.
Erin has not just built an exceptional food program, she has helped push the entire field of school nutrition forward. Her approach to sourcing and values-driven decision making has become a model for what school food leadership can look like.
“In my first few months as a new director, Erin walked into my kitchen and asked ‘Do you want to make great food for kids?’ I had no idea how much that question would shape my journey.
She showed me what was possible when we prioritize local food, connect students to their food, and refuse to settle.
Platinum Certification is a testament to her vision and the incredible work of the entire team. I can’t wait to see what they accomplish next. The rest of us will just have to keep trying to catch up!”
— Christina Lawson, Food and Nutrition Director at Eat Real certified Western Placer Unified School District
What Platinum certification looks like
Kids enjoy 15 healthy entrees each week
Weekly unique lunch entrees have grown to 15, giving students more variety, choice, and opportunities to discover a new favorite. From Local Beef & Broccoli Bowls to Pozole Rojo, Salmon Sushi Bowls to Pancit, lunch options are something to look forward to each day!
Protein quality is a priority for healthy food, soil & kids
Nearly a third of the district’s meat and seafood meet animal welfare standards, along with nearly a quarter of its dairy and eggs. These are not easy standards to meet at scale. By prioritizing responsibly sourced proteins, the district is showing how thoughtful food choices can support healthier students and a healthier planet.
Almost half the food budget goes to local producers
San Luis Coastal Unified puts $1 million back into their local economy, with nearly half of their food budget going to local producers. They have built direct relationships with their suppliers, review water reports from farmers to ensure food safety, and understand that getting produce from field to tray as quickly as possible delivers higher nutrient density than working through a longer supply chain.
Pictured: SLCUSD salad bar packed with organic, local choices.
A historic moment to celebrate
Congratulations to Erin Primer and the entire San Luis Coastal Unified Food & Nutrition Services team. This moment belongs to every single person who showed up, day after day, to do this work.
“Over the past five years, our team has been pushed with Erin’s leadership, to work hand in hand with local farmers, prioritize fresher, less processed foods, and bring scratch-made meals and hands-on culinary experiences to our students. We’re proud of what we’ve built together and excited to share our Platinum Certified meal program with our families, community partners, fellow districts, and the nation!”
—Anne Wilson, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services at San Luis Coastal Unified School District
What they have built is more than a Platinum Certified program. It is a blueprint for every district that believes real food, local sourcing, and genuine care for students can coexist on a school budget. San Luis Coastal has proven it is possible. And we could not be more proud to have been part of the journey.
Pictured: Food & Nutrition Services team at SLCUSD making the work fun!
