Marin School Lunch in the News

Non-profits, local food service directors, policy-makers, schools, chefs, farmers, green grocers, journalists and community organizers alike… It really is apparent that together we can create a healthy and educational school lunch program in Marin County.

Last week, Allen Ng, the western regional administrator for the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, called the Novato Unified School District one of three California schools that are considered models for how to improve our school lunch program. Novato U.S.D. attributed part of its success to working closely with Marin Organic's Glean Team to supply school cafeterias with local produce. During Ng’s visit to Novato Unified he praised the work of Miguel Villarreal, Director of Food and Nutritional Services. Miguel is a committed Glean Team member and continues to bring staff, parents and students from Novato schools to glean too. Keep up the great work, Miguel!!

Explore these links to read more about the USDA visit AND learn about exciting events happening during Project Lunch Week: MARIN (September 20 – 24), five days of events designed to encourage schools and communities to stand up for healthy food and sustainable lunch programs throughout Marin:

Marin I.J., USDA Administrator visits and honors Novato Unified School District for its efforts.

Sept. 20Th National Gleaning Day

Sept. 20Th to the 24Th Project Lunch Week: MARIN

Also, check out two articles fresh-from-the-press about Project Lunch and National Gleaning Day published by Novato's own Dirt Diva, author and journalist, Annie Spiegelman. Thanks, Annie!

Pacific Sun, Home and Garden: Bringing Up Lunch

The Huffington Post, Glean, Baby, Glean!

Project Lunch Week: MARIN is such an exciting effort to create access to healthy school lunch in all Marin county schools. We hope you will join us at the kick-off this Sunday hosted by Savory Thymes. Bring your family and friends to share a delicious local, organic dinner, wine and music in a majestic setting in the hills of Mill Valley. Hope to see you there!

Chester Densmore
Marin Organic School Lunch and Gleaning Program Associate