One Marin County school district hopes to set a national example when it comes to healthy eating.
Sausalito Marin City School District started serving only organic and GMO-free meals to students this week, becoming the first school district in the nation to do so.
It's an extension of what is considered to be a successful pilot program begun in 2013 at Bayside MLK Jr. Academy in Marin City. The other school in the district, Willow Creek Academy in Sausalito, has now joined Bayside MLK Jr. Academy in installing a permanent program.
“The results speak for themselves,” Steve Van Zant, superintendent for Sausalito Marin City School District, said in a statement. “Since launching the pilot at Bayside MLK Academy in 2013, students are eating real food for breakfast and lunch, discipline cases have dropped dramatically, attendance has improved, food waste is down, and students and teachers sharing of meals has led to improved manners and open communication, greatly enhancing the school community.”
The meals, which exceed USDA's recommended nutrition guidelines, are prepared by The Conscious Kitchen, a program from Sausalito nonprofit Turning Green.
