San Marcos Unified School District is Eat Real Certified!
Pictured: San Marcos Unified elementary students getting ready to enjoy tacos.
To date, only five school districts in the entire country have achieved Eat Real certification at the Silver Tier — and San Marcos Unified School District is one of them!
Located in northern San Diego County, this team serves approximately 19,532 students every single day with meals built on familiar flavors, locally sourced produce, and a genuine belief that school food can be something worth looking forward to. San Marcos’ milestone achievement is the culmination of years of showing up, innovating, and pouring real heart into every meal that comes out of their kitchens.
“Eat Real certification represents so much more than an achievement on paper — it reflects years of commitment, innovation, persistence, and heart from an entire team. From the office to the kitchens, our staff embraced the continual hard work required to transform school meals into something truly fresh, nourishing, and meaningful for students.”
— Naomi Shadwell, Executive Director of Child Nutrition Service
76% Locally Sourced
Students at San Marcos Unified receive an average of 12 fruit and 16 vegetable varieties weekly — 76% locally sourced and 31% organic. That kind of access to fresh, local produce isn’t just good for students’ health. It reflects a team that has built real, lasting relationships with the farmers and growers who make it possible.
Pictured: San Marcos Unified elementary students up close with local produce.
9 Whole Grains Offered Weekly
Whole grain entrees are offered an average of nine times each week at San Marcos Unified, supporting healthy digestion, balanced blood sugar levels, and lasting fullness throughout the school day. It’s the kind of nutritional detail that makes a huge impact on how students feel and focus every single day.
Building Healthy Habits Through Food Education
San Marcos Unified goes beyond the cafeteria by hosting food-focused guest speakers and cooking lessons that help students connect with their meals and build lifelong healthy habits. When students understand where their food comes from and how it’s made, something changes in how they experience eating. The team exposes students to cultural diversity through food, introducing students to new flavors while honoring familiar dishes that reflect their backgrounds and experiences.
“The birria tacos are like the ones I get from the taco restaurant! They are so good!”
— Joaquin, San Marcos Unified second grader
Pictured: Birria tacos made with housemade birria and locally sourced tortillas.
Honoring Their Students and Community
Congratulations to Executive Director Naomi Shadwell and the entire San Marcos Unified Child Nutrition Services team. What they have built is a program that honors both the student sitting at the table and the farmer who grew what’s on their tray. Their dedication to fresh ingredients, familiar flavors, and real food education is making a lasting difference for nearly 20,000 students every single day.
Pictured: Team members prepping caprese pesto sandwiches.
