Elkhorn debuts Lunch on the Lawn
LUSD unveils new food truck in event for students, families
Parents and students gathered at Elkhorn Elementary School in Stockton on Wednesday afternoon, with some sitting on the grass and others at tables as they ate lunch together for Elkhorn’s inaugural Lunch on the Lawn.
Elkhorn’s principal Pat White organized the event to bring students and their families, she said, and develop a stronger sense of community.
“I’m really pleased by the turnout. With so many parents working so hard, it’s really great to see this turnout. We decided we want to do this every quarter, because there was such a positive response,” White said.
The event was not the only thing to debut on Wednesday, however.
While a drone filmed from overhead, seventh- and eighth-graders lined up to buy food from Lodi Unified School District’s own food truck as it made its maiden voyage.
Nancy Rostomily, the district’s director of nutrition services, watched with pride as students and parents alike chose from pork carnitas tacos or kung pao chicken with rice, a chef’s salad with or without meat or a soy-butter protein box.
“It’s been two years in the making. We were able to secure a grant to provide summer meals when kids are not in school, so this is kind of a test run,” Rostomily said.
The truck will stop in various neighborhoods throughout the district with a set menu during the summer, Rostomily said, and will likely stop at a different high school each week during the school year.
Parents Lannea and Jason Spence sat on the grass, enjoying the weather as they ate carnitas tacos with their daughters Malia, a 12-year-old seventh-grader, Hayden, a 9year-old fourth-grader and 5year-old twins Blake and Ashlen, who are not yet students.
“It’s nice to be able to take a break with the kids and have lunch,” Jason said.
“It’s kind of nice that they have the option of having a food truck out here,” Lannea said.
“It’s good food, I’ll say that,” Malia said.
Cheryl Elkins and her 10year-old granddaughter, Graciella Vincent, a fifth-grader, also enjoyed the tacos, along with each others’ company as they sat at a table near the blacktop.
“I think it’s great to add something that gives them options for food,” Cheryl said.
“It’s a fun experience, because it’s something new,” Graciella said.
Katie and Christopher Maldonado, along with their 13year-old son, Xavier, a seventh-grader, found a shady spot under the tree where they, too, enjoyed the carnitas tacos.
“I think it’s good for families to be a part of their kids’ school life, meet their friends and teachers and get outdoors,” Katie said.
“I think it’s an innovative idea, giving them a couple of different options. It’s a good way to introduce different foods to the kids, too,” Christopher said.
“The food’s good, it’s cool having a food truck on campus. At Podesto Ranch, my old school, they did Lunch on the Lawn and I liked that,” Xavier said.