West Ada School District Becomes the First Eat Real Certified District in Idaho!
Pictured: West Ada elementary students trying star fruit.
We are proud to celebrate West Ada School District as the first district in Idaho to earn Eat Real certification at the Green Tier! Located in Meridian, Idaho, just west of Boise, the district serves approximately 39,496 students and is leading the way in bringing real food to schools across the state. This milestone recognizes the meaningful work the team has put into expanding local sourcing, scratch cooking, and access to fresh produce across every school in the district.
“Our journey with Eat Real has been both inspiring and empowering. Achieving Green [Certification] right out of the gate was a huge milestone, and we’re energized and supported as we continue working toward Silver!”
— Kristen Homer, Assistant Director of School Nutrition
48% Locally Sourced
Nearly half of all fresh fruit and vegetable offerings at West Ada come from small farms — bringing students nutrient-rich produce while directly supporting local growers. Across 2,696,343 breakfasts and lunches served each year, that commitment to local sourcing adds up to a significant investment in both student health and the Idaho food community.
Pictured: Student-loved orange chicken paired with fresh, local fruits and vegetables.
38% Minimally Processed
With an average of 19 scratch-made entrees served each week, more than 30% of menu offerings are made with simpler, minimally processed ingredients. The pride the kitchen team takes in their scratch cooking is palpable, and students feel it too.
“Our students love our homemade tomato soup and it is something I can be proud of making from scratch. I love telling the kids I MADE THAT!”
— Nicole Parisi, Kitchen Staff
Pictured: The nutrition team proudly at work.
100% of Schools Offer Salad Bars
Every one of the district’s 65 schools offers a salad bar, giving students daily access to fresh fruits and vegetables to support their health, focus, and wellbeing. This isn’t a pilot or a select few campuses. It’s a district-wide commitment that ensures no student misses out on the opportunity to choose something fresh every day.
Pictured: Salad bar featuring a colorful variety of fresh produce.
For Every Student, Every Day
Congratulations to Director of School Nutrition Anne Brock, Assistant Director Kristen Homer, and their entire team for the dedication and hard work that made this achievement possible. Their work shows what is possible when a district decides that every student deserves real food every day. West Ada is leading the way not only for schools across Idaho, but the country as a whole.
