Initiative Aims to Boost Use of Local Ingredients in California Schools

Fifteen California school districts, including Los Angeles USD have launched a pilot program called California Thursdays that seeks to boost the use of locally sourced ingredients in school meals. A collaboration between the Center for Ecoliteracy (CFE), participating school districts, and allied organizations, California Thursdays is part of CFE’s California Food for California Kids initiative.

It  was developed and piloted in partnership with the Oakland USD during the 2013–14 school year. In addition to LAUSD, the network of participating districts includes Alvord, Coachella Valley, Conejo Valley, Elk Grove, Hemet, La Honda–Pescadero, Lodi, Los Angeles, Monterey Peninsula, Oakland, Oceanside, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, and Turlock. Allied individuals and organizations include farmers, suppliers, governmental officials and organizations, nonprofits, and businesses.