Oakland, Calif., voters to decide on bond issue for kitchen upgrades

When voters in Oakland, Calif., head to the polls next month, they will be asked to appove a referendum that would allow the schol district to issue as much as $475 million in bonds in order to cover the cost of major renovations to school foodservice facilities. According to advocates, Measure J  would go a long way toward helping the district satisfy provisions of the new U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations on what schools can offer students at breakfast and lunch.

Plans drawn up by the district would include the construction of a central kitchen in West Oakland, which would be the district's fourth, as well as for 14 community kitchens to be built.