MEDIA ADVISORY FROM THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT: USDA Under Secretary, Superintendent and California rancher announce expansion of California Food for California Kids Program

MEDIA ADVISORY
Oct. 19, 2015
USDA Under Secretary, SD Unified Superintendent and California rancher announce expansion, discuss importance of California Food for California Kids
SAN DIEGO - Following a successful one-year pilot, San Diego Unified Food & Nutrition Services is expanding its California Thursdays program to more than 220 schools – making San Diego Unified the fastest growing California Thursdays district in the state. California Thursdays is a program that allows school districts to serve healthy, freshly prepared meals made with California grown ingredients. The program creates a "triple win:" improving student health and academic achievement, investing in the local economy and benefiting the environment. San Diego Unified is leading the national trend of incorporating fresh, local food into school meals.

What – San Diego Unified Food & Nutrition Services is holding a press conference to announce the expansion of the California Thursdays program. Speakers will discuss the importance of serving California food for California kids. Local farmers and food producers, students, health partners and other community representatives will be in attendance. Speakers and attendees will then join students in tasting a California Thursdays meal made entirely of California ingredients.

Speakers - United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon; San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten; Center for Ecoliteracy Executive Director and Co-Founder Zenobia Barlow; and California rancher Dave Pitman.

Interviews – All speakers will be available for one-on-one interviews after the press conference. Other local farmers and food producers will be available for interviews as well.

When – Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015
10:15-11:15 a.m.

Where – Hancock Elementary
3303 Taussig Street
San Diego, CA 92124

Details – 10:15-10:35 a.m. – Speakers:

· San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten

· California rancher Dave Pitman

· Center for Ecoliteracy Executive Director and Co-Founder Zenobia Barlow

· USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon
10:35-11:15 a.m. – Lunch with students; time for one-on-one interviews

Visuals – Students and adults eating a meal made entirely of California-grown food; students interacting and eating with the farmers, ranchers and producers who make the food they eat; dignitaries interacting with students.

Other notable attendees – Congresswoman Susan Davis, Staff Assistant; California Department of Education, Nutrition Services Division - Nutrition Education Administrator Kim Frinzell; local farmers and producers

###
Contact: Tara McNamara | San Diego Unified Food & Nutrition Services marketing coordinator |
858-627-7316 | tmcnamara@sandi.net
You are a subscriber to the news release mailing list for the San Diego Unified School District. To unsubscribe, send a message to "media@lists-sandi-net" with the word "unsubscribe" in the body of the message. For an archive of these releases, go to http://sdusd-news.blogspot.com/