What’s for School Lunch?
What’s for School Lunch?
Did you know the Department’s largest locally sourced item in schools statewide is ground beef? It’s enjoyed by students year-round, thanks to our local farmers that include:
- Kipu Ranch (Kauaʻi)
- Kualoa Ranch (Oʻahu)
- Puʻu o Hoku Ranch (Molokai)
- Haleakala Ranch (Maui)
- Kahua Ranch (Hawaiʻi Island)
- IʻO Cattle Company (Hawaiʻi Island)
- MJ Ranch (Hawaiʻi Island)
- JB Ranch (Hawaiʻi Island)
*This list is not an exhaustive list.
Local beef is featured in school lunches in a variety of ways, including scratch-made hamburger curry and stew (pictured below at Kapolei High School). Other menu items featuring local beef that you can look out for this school year include:
- Chili cheese nachos (fan favorite!)
- Soft shell beef tacos (new this year!)
- Paniolo patty
- Creole macaroni
- Spaghetti
When students and staff eat school lunches featuring local ground beef, they are supporting the businesses of local families and ranchers, reducing environmental importing impacts, and helping sustain the development of local beef for our communities to continue to enjoy!
Mahalo to Kapolei High School’s school food services manager, Liza Canuela; baker, Hanah Kapea; cook, Maxine Leleo-Jacintho; cafeteria helper, Luwana Moniz; cafeteria helper, Lani Apana; and cafeteria helper, Jayde Tai (pictured, left to right), for inviting us into their kitchen.
“What’s For School Lunch?” is a monthly column coordinated by the School Food Services Branch that features a local menu item as part of the Department’s goal to incorporate more locally sourced ingredients into our cafeterias.
