“I serve proudly on the Personnel Commission for the Santa Cruz City Schools, and in that capacity I am in contact with the staff who create and serve those meals! The workers are proud of their performance, and the benefits the children experience...I am also proud of California's school food program.”
“Schools have the ability to provide all young people an opportunity to access nutritious meals without shame or stigma. This allows our students to start the day off right, ready to learn, and without anxiety about how, when, and where they will receive another meal.”
“Free lunch made a huge difference in my life...I believe all schools should have well equipped proper kitchens and serve a variety of healthful nutritious food.”
“Kids knew that if they came to school they’d be guaranteed two meals per day. Sadly, that was often the only food they got. Many went without dinner. We can’t take away school breakfast or lunch.”
“I fully support free meals as I didn't get free meals as a child and I can't even count how many times I was so hungry that my stomach was cramping and I couldn't pay attention in school. My hunger was more important then learning...don't do that to our future!! Please let them eat.”
“As an educator, I know how much impact having available, healthy food has on the entire school learning environment. The free lunch programs for all does not stigmatize the poor, it empowers everyone.”
“Simply put, me and my sister would not have had breakfast or lunch without this program. ”
“The school meals have been great for my daughter and the rest of our family. The quality of food is much better than our family meals used to be. Having the schools supply lunch has taken a big load off my plate, and I think she actually likes eating now.”
“As a mom with a son in his first year of public school, I’ve been absolutely thrilled with California’s School Meals for All program. His district sources 90% of its produce from local farms, which makes me proud to be a Californian—feeding our kids healthy meals, supporting local agriculture, and creating good jobs for school nutrition workers.”
“By taking away meals for children, our already difficult jobs will become even harder as we as teachers will battle unstable moods, low energy and sluggishness. Kids need to eat healthy and nutritious food for their growing brains and bodies.”
“We got to have breakfast and lunch at school and honestly we were super grateful for it.”
“I survived my high school years on the kindness of others. When I couldn’t get a meal, it was very hard to stay awake during classes. There were and still are many like me who didn’t share the same experience.”