Kern County Grand Jury
• 2025-2026
Kern County School Nutrition Program - The Well-Fed Student
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 6 findings
F1
If school districts do not post current lunch menus on their websites, it diminishes students‘ ability to decide what to eat.
F2
Not all schools are using nutritional posters as recommended by the USDA.
F3
Many schools do not have garden programs to provide fresh fruit and vegetables for educational purposes.
F4
The school kitchens and cafeterias visited by the Grand Jury appeared to be clean and well organized.
F5
Not all school districts’ websites have a current local wellness plan available.
F6
School districts do not consistently work with other districts for bargaining power in purchasing food from different vendors.
Recommendations 4
-
R1Send a memorandum to all school district nutrition supervisors by August 1, 2026, advising them to post current menus on their websites if they are not already doing so. (Finding F1)
-
R2Coordinate all schools to use school age-appropriate nutrition related posters in their cafeterias using “Team Nutrition” website to access printable posters, by August 1, 2026. (Finding F2)
-
R3By July 1, 2026, send out an advisory to all nutrition supervisors and principals to reach out to other schools and visit their cafeterias to share ideas. (Finding F6)
-
R4By August 1, 2026, send out a memorandum to all schools to have their current local wellness plan available on their websites, using the KCSOS website for guidance. (Finding F5) COMMENTS: The Grand Jury would like to thank the Kern County school officials for their cooperation in the investigation of the schools’ nutrition programs. We would also like to thank the staff for sharing their time and knowledge. RESPONSE DEADLINE: • REQUIRED WITHIN 60 DAYS FROM: Kern County Superintendent of Schools