BPS to expand fresh food program
The city will expand its fresh food program to as many as 20 public schools this year, an endeavor that will require building and renovating new kitchens and cafeterias as part of Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s commitment to provide kids with nutritious meals.
The undertaking, part of the city’s BuildBPS 10year facilities master plan, comes as officials say 81 district schools are in dire need of new cafeterias. Currently, many operate out of buildings that were either built before World War II, lack proper cafeterias and kitchens, or are currently using the space as classrooms.
The idea, according to the city, is to have at least one school in each neighborhood with a central kitchen capable of preparing the meals to ship to satellite schools that lack full kitchens.
The program would mean more Hub students would have access to food made with fresh ingredients and would be able to choose from a variety of options — whole grains, black beans, seasoned chicken and vegetables — rather than preheated, plastic-wrapped lunches.
The initiative is an expansion of a pilot launched earlier this year at East Boston High School, the East Boston Early Education Center, Bradley Elementary School and Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School. The four schools received new Welbilt “combi-ovens” similar to those used at fast-casual restaurants.
Walsh made the expansion a priority during his inauguration speech, saying, “We’re going to scale up our new food pilot program ... until every student gets at least two fresh, nutritious meals, every day, all across the district.”
The city also has a “commitment” to roll out the program to other schools over the summer, according to Ben Vainer, who is leading BuildBPS.
It would cost about $60,000 per school to retrofit each kitchen. The Shah Family Foundation, which funded the East Boston pilot, is hoping to help fund the cost. As of today, only 43 of the city’s 125 schools can prepare and cook food on-site.
“Nutritional food is fundamental,” Jill Shah told the Herald. “There is a big difference between something out of a small plastic box; it is a different experience than walking through a line and making choices. It changes the environment within these walls.”
Schools participating in the pilot saw a more than 15 percent increase in school lunch participation, according to Laura Benavidez, executive director of the district’s Food and Nutrition Services Department.
Bradley Principal Claire Carney said there was a noticeable change among students.
“We’ve seen kids who are more awake,” she said. “It really has changed the school.”