Eastside students and parents release Policy Report with recommendations on strategies to improve the quality and access to school food

In response to the new LAUSD food menu, overcrowded schools and the growing obesity epidemic in East Los Angeles, InnerCity Struggle (ICS) held a community forum to release their latest policy report entitled, “Food Justice for Eastside Schools.” 

The goal of the forum was to share the results of a recent survey conducted on the quality and access of LAUSD’s school breakfast and lunch program.  ICS surveyed nearly 400 students from five East Los Angeles high schools and over 200 parents.  ICS’ policy report highlighted the barriers that limit student’s access to food like insufficient time to eat and the poor quality of food.

ICS’s Food Justice Survey asked students to share their experience in regards to access and time.  When asked if students eat school lunch every day, “most students (56%) stated that they did not eat at school every day” and “nearly two-thirds (62%) indicated that they lacked the necessary time to complete their meals during breakfast, nutrition or lunch.”

Ericka Diaz, an InnerCity Struggle member who attends Garfield High School stated, “I’m anemic, so it’s important that I eat, but I don’t eat lunch at school. I’ve tried, but the food isn’t always prepared well…food that is supposed to be hot is cold and vice versa, so I just don’t go back. I bring lunch from home, or I buy food from the student store, or I just go most the day without eating.”

The community forum ended with a promising panel discussion with the key LAUSD officials who responded to InnerCity Struggle’s Food Justice Policy Report recommendations, as well as signing of a pledge to commit to work toward improving school food access, time and quality. The recommendations that received the most support amongst decision makers were 1) lunch carts to be provided to minimize lines, 2) extended lunches to increase eating time, 3) breakfast in the classroom pilot program, and 4) elimination of tickets and student identification cards when 75% or more of the student body is eligible for free or reduced lunch.