Our Approach
Free Meals for Every Student
Through California's Universal Meals Program, every WPUSD student has access to a free, nutritious breakfast and lunch every school day. Our goal is simple: ensure every student has access to wholesome meals that fuel learning, growth, and success.
School Meals 101
Believe it or not, the WPUSD Food Service Program is a complex program highly regulated by the state and federal government. There are specific nutrition guidelines all schools must follow, including serving a fruit and a vegetable every day!
Our Commitment to Quality and Nutrition
- Serve menus with at least 50% freshly prepared selections, focusing on high-quality, minimally processed items.
- Consistently meet or exceed federal and state nutrition standards while prioritizing locally sourced ingredients.
- Engage students with nutrition education, including programs like Harvest of the Month and cafeteria tastings, to introduce new fruits and vegetables.
- Build a dedicated team by offering livable wages, sufficient hours, and professional development to support long-term careers in school food service.
- Reduce food waste through effective forecasting and inventory management.
- Strategically invest in kitchen facilities and equipment to enhance our meal preparation capabilities.
You can view our departments Mission, Vision, Values and SY 25-26 Goals Here!
Chef-Made, Scratch-Cooked Meals
Our talented school chefs prepare meals from scratch every day. By cooking in-house, we can serve dishes that are not only nutritious but also full of flavor — meals students actually look forward to eating. From homemade dressings to freshly baked items, our menus are crafted with both taste and wellness in mind.
Seasonal Menus
Just like nature, our menus change with the seasons. Students enjoy the best of what’s growing right now — juicy melons in the summer, hearty greens in the fall, and sweet citrus in the winter. Rotating seasonal menus also introduces students to new flavors while keeping meals exciting and fresh.
Where Our Food Comes From
At Plateful by WPUSD, we believe food should be fresh, high-quality, and made with care. We are committed to procuring the best possible ingredients for our students whenever we can, supporting local farms, sustainable producers, and clean-label products.
We’re proud to source from:
Local Produce & Farms:
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Spork Food Hub – delivering local produce weekly from over 70 local farms
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Direct Farm to School efforts with Azolla Farms, Twin Peaks Orchard, Sidehill Citrus, and Oakside Farms
Dairy & Yogurt:
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Rumiano Cheese Co. in Crescent City, CA – local and organic cheeses
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Sierra Nevada Cheese Co. in Willows, CA – low-sugar, locally made Greek vanilla yogurt
Bread, Tortillas & Prepared Foods:
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Hola Tortilla in Nevada City – fresh, locally made tortillas
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Dos Pisanos in Concord, CA – locally made bread
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Alicias Tamales in Hayward, CA – locally made pupusas
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Tasty Pizza in Carmichael, Ca - delivered fresh, made with great ingredients like flour from Central Milling
Proteins:
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Cream Co Meats – grass-fed beef burgers and hot dogs
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Boar's Head – Delicious lunch meats, some cheeses & pork sausage
Pantry & Specialty Items:
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Bianco DiNapoli in Woodland, CA – tomato products like our delicious marinara sauce
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Capay Mills provides us freshly milled Flour and Cornmeal from the Capay Valley
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Etto in Paso Robles, CA – whole grain pasta made in small batches
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Green Bellies – penne pasta and chicken meatballs (clean label, mother-daughter duo)
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Slope Side – 100% Vermont maple syrup
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Nature’s Path – organic, low-sugar cereals
We are committed to sourcing high-quality products for our students. But great meals don’t just come from ingredients — they come from the hands that prepare them. That’s why we make many of our menu items from scratch, with guidance from our Brigaid Chef and ongoing team training. We also partner with the Chef Ann Foundation to ensure our staff have the skills to make delicious, scratch-cooked meals that students love.
Going Above and Beyond
We are actively pursuing Eat Real Certification, going above and beyond both state and federal requirements. This means:
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Focused on sourcing clean-label items
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Reducing sugar in our meals
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Adding more variety to menus
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Providing meals that exceed nutrition standards
Our Partners
