More than 29 million children eat lunch at public schools everyday. It’s time to pay tribute to the wonderful workers who help make this possible. Join CSEA in celebrating National School Lunch Week in October. Click here for more information.

Research shows that good nutrition enables students to meet their educational and physical potential. However, it's the people in the kitchens that really make the state's food programs work. CSEA is proud to represent thousands of food service employees statewide.

National School Lunch Week was created in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy—16 years after President Harry Truman signed the National School Lunch Act into law.

“The well nourished school child is a better student.” Truman said. “He is healthier and more alert. He is developing good food habits that will benefit him for the rest of his life. In short, he is a better asset for his country in every way.”

Food Service Professionals

Our school cafeterias, food preparation centers and the caring employees who work in them all play a critical role in the educational process by providing nutritious meals for children.

Cooks, servers, clerks and delivery drivers all work hard to cut costs and maintain efficient, safe and healthy food service programs.

Many times the meal students receive at school are the best or only meal they will get each day. Without food, they cannot learn. Research shows good nutrition enables students to meet their educational and physical potential.

Our schools serve more meals each day than all the restaurants in the state. However, it’s the people in the kitchens who really make the state’s food programs work. Food service workers prepare meals for thousands of students and then serve it and even clean up afterwards.

Tips From Your Food Service Professionals

Food service professionals make sure that everything the students eat meets nutritional guidelines and is savory and presentable. They are in charge of keeping the cafeteria, kitchen, cooking equipment and utensils clean and in orderly condition.

Insider tips

• Make eating nutritious meals fun for your kids through presentation.

• Avoid giving children fast food as much as possible.

• Start healthy eating habits when children are very young. Introduce them to fruits and vegetables when they’re toddlers so they get used to eating food that is good for them.

• Have kids drink water more regularly. Give them water instead of sugary drinks such as soft drinks and fruit juice (yes, most fruit juices are loaded with sugar —often labeled as “fructose”