For schools ready to nourish children differently.

For schools ready to nourish children differently.

We help public and private schools create lunch programs centered on real, nutrient-dense food and support the people, kitchens, and systems needed to make the change last.

We help public and private schools create lunch programs centered on real, nutrient-dense food and support the people, kitchens, and systems needed to make the change last.

IS YOUR SCHOOL READY?

A Different Kind of School Lunch Is Possible

REAL FOOD     THOUGHTFUL SOURCING     STRONG KITCHENS     NOURISHED STUDENTS

We help schools make the change.

We've seen what's possible at Manzanita School, where School of Lunch has helped develop a scratch-cooked, nutrient-dense lunch program since 2017. Now we're helping other schools build programs rooted in the same principles—adapted to their own students, kitchens, and communities.

REAL FOOD
THOUGHTFUL SOURCING
STRONG KITCHENS
NOURISHED STUDENTS

Help Your
School Become
SŌL Certified

TAKE THE SCHOOL READINESS INTAKE

Our Nutrition Commitment

    • Operate a scratch-cook kitchen.

    • Build meals around recognizable, whole-food ingredients.

    • Center meals on high-quality animal-based proteins.

    • Use traditional fats such as butter, olive oil, lard, tallow and coconut oil; avoid industrial seed oils.

    • Incorporate organ meats into recipes.

    • Offer fermented foods daily.

    • Serve whole milk rather than low-fat or nonfat milk.

    • Serve water with every meal rather than fruit juice.

    • Use high-quality, unrefined salt.

    • Properly prepare grains, beans, nuts and seeds to support digestion.

    • Source vegetables, fruits and fresh herbs locally, seasonally and organically whenever possible.

    • Make breads and baked goods with a majority of whole-grain flours and 100% organic ingredients.

    • Encourage a sourdough bread-baking program.

  • We eliminate highly processed foods made primarily with refined flours, added sugars, high-fructose corn syrup and industrial seed oils.

We believe children deserve real,
nutrient-dense food at school.

Our approach is grounded in whole foods, scratch cooking, and thoughtful sourcing—with clear standards for what goes into the kitchen, what goes on the plate, and what stays out.

Our Process

A clear path from where you are to where you want to be.

We meet schools where they are, develop a practical plan for change, and stay alongside them through implementation.

  1. Assess: We review your current food program, including menus, sourcing, kitchen operations and staffing.

  2. Plan: We develop a customized transition plan based on your school's goals, resources and capacity.

  3. Roll Out: We work alongside your team throughout implementation, helping put the plan into practice.

  4. Support: We provide ongoing guidance as your program evolves.

Get started today

Are you a parent?

We're building a Parent Toolkit to help families understand what's possible and navigate the next steps toward better school food.

Want to be the first to know when it launches? Email us at toolkit@schooloflunch.com.