Unpacking the NVUSD Meal Experience

Starting the Day Off Right

The Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) is proud to continue our Breakfast in the Classroom program this year! This program allows all TK-12th grade students the opportunity to eat a free, nutritious breakfast each school day after the bell has rung.

In 2022 California was the first state in the nation to pass free universal meals. This state mandate made this research-backed program possible. The strong commitment from NVUSD NOSH Food Services made it a success last year. In fact, they prepared 618,000 breakfasts free of charge last year.

So, wondering what’s for breakfast tomorrow? Visit the NOSH website to learn more about our meal program and future meal offerings.

What did you have for lunch today?

Chicken pozole!

BBQ chicken drumsticks!

Bean and cheese pupusas!

Carnitas burrito!

…and a favorite, beef hamburgers!

 

Each day students across the District eat free, hot lunches. Last year, NOSH Food Services made 680,000 lunches using the “scratch” cooking model. In this model, our kitchen staff use fresh, raw, local ingredients to prepare lunch. And, we only incorporate premade or precooked items when necessary.

 

 

This model is possible because of facility improvements paid for with the Measure H bond. This included the construction of the central kitchen and finishing kitchens at schools.

Our partnerships with organizations such as the Chef Ann Foundation also make this model a reality. As NVUSD’s scratch cooking program continues to evolve, we will cook more meals from "scratch," not just “speed scratch.”

These partnerships and facilities allow great things to happen. They make it possible to offer appealing, healthy, palatable food. Meals that we can tailor to our students' unique cultural backgrounds and that use locally sourced products. It’s a win-win.

Here are some fun facts about our lunch program.

• NVUSD utilizes a speed scratch/scratch cooking model for lunch.

• Students can choose a daily vegetarian option at lunch and have access to a salad bar every day!

• Lunch is the focus of the central and finishing kitchens.

• All produce served is fresh and 98 percent comes from California.

• We buy food locally whenever possible.

To learn more, check out the menu or visit the NOSH website.