The MUHSD Nutrition Services team combined to serve over 1.8 million meals last school year. Their goal is to serve almost 25,000 more meals this year. It’s a group that works hard to provide great tasting, nutritious options for our students and staff throughout the district. The team takes great pride in the quality of food they offer and the number of meals they were able to serve.

 

“Extremely proud, our staff is one of the most dedicated staff that constantly shows up everyday and does whatever it takes to make sure we continue to provide and keep improving the quality of the meals we serve each and every day,” said Rosemary Cota, MUHSD’s Assistant Director Nutrition Services. “Food Services is always changing and having to adapt in an instant, or have to plan for what's to come. Without them we couldn't put our visions and thoughts into a reality for these students.”

 

The entire Nutrition Services team gathered on Aug. 6 at Livingston High School for a training session and an opportunity to be introduced to some of the new menu items this year. New lunch items this year include Italian subs, Italian style wraps, very berry parfait and lunch protein boxes. The new breakfast menu items include chocolate croissants, breakfast bowls, overnight oats and blueberry lemon scones. The central kitchen will also be making its own homemade ranch dressing and chipotle sauce this year.  

 

“Staff gets excited because it is something new to learn and try,” Cota said. “They also like the feedback from students to see if it's great or is there something we can do to make it better. Because it's just like at home when you cook or make something, you hope the people you're cooking/preparing for love what you made, right? It's the same feeling here, just a bigger kitchen and more people to feed.”

 

The staff was able to get a look at the improvements made to the Livingston High cafeteria. “We wanted to create a welcoming environment for the students to gather and eat in the cafeteria,” said Lisa Mendoza, MUHSD Director of Nutrition Services. “The principal and I worked together on the design and graphics along with the tables and seating. The walls got a fresh coat of paint cover and graphics that promote healthy eating. There is new seating that includes tables and chairs that are appropriate for high school students.”

 

Last year the team combined to serve 796,514 meals at breakfast, which was an increase of 8,414 meals from the 2025-26 school year. Lunch meals served throughout the district topped one million with 1,029,005 meals served, which was an increase of 15,933 lunches served the previous school year.

 

Nutrition Services have set goals of 800,000 breakfast meals and 1,050,000 lunches to be served this year. The team never shies away from a challenge. “This year's theme for our Nutrition Services Department is TEAM, because in order to keep providing excellent services we have to continue to build and stay a strong team to do so,” Cota said. 

 

Cota says the team wants to shine a spotlight on staff members from the department each month with two Nutrition Services Staff Members of the Month. National School Lunch Week is right around the corner, beginning on Oct. 12 and this years’ theme is  "Cafeteria Circus: Where Nutrition Takes Center Stage."

Shawn Jansen is the Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.