- School Breakfast Program (SBP)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP)
- Farm to School
- Fruit of the Month
- Seamless Summer Feeding Program
- Share Table
- Supporting Local: Our Partners
School Breakfast Program (SBP)
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally funded program that provides nutritious breakfast to students in participating public and nonprofit private schools. It ensures students start the day with a healthy meal to support learning, focus, and overall well-being. The program is administered by the USDA and has been serving students nationwide since it became a permanent program in 1975.
For more information, please review the School Breakfast Program Fact Sheet or visit the USDA website.
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted program that provides nutritious, low-cost or free lunches to students in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions each school day. Established in 1946, the program sets federal nutrition standards based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including requirements for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and appropriate calorie levels by age group. Local school districts determine specific menu items and preparation methods while ensuring meals meet all federal nutrition guidelines.
Please review the National School Lunch Program Fact Sheet for more details about the NSLP or visit the USDA website
Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP)
With the continued goal of serving healthy and nutritious meals to students, Sweetwater UHSD offers Supper service on campus for students participating in after-school activities through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
CACFP is a federally funded program that supports the serving of nutritious meals and snacks in child care and after-school settings, helping support the health, growth, and development of children. Each day, millions of children nationwide receive meals and snacks through this program.
After-school meals and snacks help students stay engaged in safe, enriching activities while receiving the nutrition they need to learn and thrive. All meals and snacks are served in group settings at no cost to students or their families.
For more information about CACFP, please visit the USDA website.
Farm to School
Farm to School is a program that connects schools with local farms to bring fresh, locally grown foods—such as fruits and vegetables—into school meals. It also includes hands-on learning opportunities like school gardens, farm field trips, and cooking activities. This initiative supports student health while strengthening local and regional farming communities.
We are committed to incorporating Farm to School produce into our daily menus whenever possible. With the abundance of local and organic farms in San Diego and Central California, our goal is to provide students with fresh, high-quality produce throughout the school year.
We are proud to share that Sweetwater UHSD was the only district in San Diego County to receive the USDA Farm to School Planning Grant for the 2013–2014 school year. This grant supports the expansion of school gardens and increases the use of locally sourced foods in our menus, helping make Farm to School a lasting part of district culture.
Building on this momentum, we are proud to announce that we are expanding our approach with Farm to School by building farms and gardens directly at our schools. These on-site agricultural spaces give students direct, hands-on experience, and the fresh produce grown right on our campuses will go directly to cafeterias across the district. In line with this vision, we are so proud that our Southwest High School farm is underway and thriving! To learn more about this exciting project, click here.
Fruit of the Month
The Fruit of the Month program highlights seasonal produce served in school meals to help students explore a variety of fruits throughout the year. This program encourages students to try new fruits, learn about where they come from, and discover different varieties while supporting healthy eating habits.
Seamless Summer Feeding Program
The Seamless Summer Feeding Program provides free, nutritious meals to children during the summer months when school is not in session. This program helps ensure students continue to have access to healthy meals in a safe, welcoming environment, supporting their growth, learning, and well-being year-round.
Share Table
The Share Table is a space where students can place unopened, shelf-stable food items they do not want during meal service. Instead of going to waste, these items are made available for other students to take if they would like them. This helps reduce food waste and supports a culture of sharing within our school community.
Supporting Local: Our Partners
We are committed to supporting local farmers, producers, and trusted partners who help bring fresh, high-quality foods to our school meals. By working with local, regional, and California grown suppliers whenever possible, we strengthen our community while providing students with nutritious, responsibly sourced ingredients they can enjoy every day.
Local refers to foods sourced within 25 miles of the San Diego County line. Regional refers to foods sourced within 250 miles of the San Diego County line. California Grown refers to foods grown and sourced anywhere within the state of California.
- Hollandia Dairy- Hollandia Dairy is a family-owned dairy company based in Southern California that provides high-quality milk and dairy products. They are committed to producing fresh, nutritious options while maintaining strong standards for animal care and food safety. We proudly source milk, cheese, and yogurt from Hollandia Dairy to support student health and local partnerships. To learn more about Hollandia Dairy, please visit their website.
- Moceri- With deep roots in Southern California, Moceri works closely with local and regional growers while also sourcing produce globally to ensure consistent quality and availability. Today, Moceri continues to support schools and communities by providing fresh, seasonal produce that promotes healthy meals and strong connections to local agriculture. We source a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables from Moceri Produce, a trusted regional distributor committed to delivering high-quality, farm-fresh products. For more information, please visit their website.
- California Baking Company- We source our bread products from California Baking Company, a wholesale bakery based in Chula Vista that has been serving Southern California for over 55 years. The company specializes in producing a wide variety of high-quality breads for schools, restaurants, and other food service partners. With a strong focus on quality ingredients and reliable service, California Baking Company delivers fresh bread daily throughout San Diego and surrounding counties. For more information, please visit their website.
- Food 4 Thought- We partner with Food 4 Thought, a California-based produce company dedicated to bringing fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables to schools. They work closely with small, family-owned farms throughout California to provide fresh, seasonal produce in student-friendly portions. For more information, please visit their website.
- Dassi Farms- We source fresh, locally grown produce from Dassi Family Farm, a small, sustainable farm in North San Diego County. They specialize in growing high-quality fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and basil using greenhouse methods that support freshness and sustainability. For more information, please visit their website.
- Sweetwater High School- At Sweetwater High School, we have an on-campus chicken coop that provides fresh eggs for our Nutrition Services department. Students also grow seasonal fruits and vegetables through a student-led farm that they help maintain. Harvests from the garden are used in the school cafeteria, giving students hands-on experience while supporting fresh, locally grown food in school meals.
- Tus Chefs Favoritas- We partner with Tus Chefs Favoritas, a local business that prepares our specialty conchas from flavors ranging from Fruity Pebbles to Oreos.
- Tortillas de Harina Elice- We proudly partner with Tortillas de Harina Elice, a local, family owned business based in Chula Vista that provides fresh, high-quality flour tortillas. Everything is made from scratch with care and tradition, bringing homemade flavor and quality to every product. For more information, please visit their website.
