In October, I learned something that deeply concerned me: in our school district, only two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—the designated cold alternative lunch—are made available per grade level each day. That means just two sandwiches for approximately 100 students. This was surprising, especially since the lunch calendar shared with families gives the impression that a daily alternative meal option is available to all students who may need or prefer it.

After reaching out to the Director of Food Services for clarification, it was confirmed that only two students per grade can receive the cold alternative lunch on any given day. Meaning countless students are left without a proper meal if they don’t like (or can’t eat) the main option. This raised serious concerns for me—not just as a parent, but as someone who cares about the health and well-being of all the children at Northridge. I feel that families are misled about meal availability. 

School meals play a vital role in supporting students’ health, behavior, and academic performance. A 2018 study in the Journal of School Health found that students who do not receive sufficiently nutritious meals are more likely to experience challenges in cognitive development and academic achievement.

This is not about blame. It’s about awareness—and working together to ensure our students are well-nourished and supported. No student should go hungry or be forced to eat an unappealing meal just because alternatives are unavailable. Families deserve clear, accurate communication about lunch options, and more importantly, our students deserve consistent access to healthy, balanced, and appealing meals.

Let’s advocate for improvements in school lunch offerings—both in nutrition and in availability. If you agree that our children deserve better, I invite you to sign this petition. Together, we can help create a school environment that prioritizes their health, dignity, and success.