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At the School Board Meeting of July 23, 2025, School Board Member Luisa Santos proffered agenda item H-9, the ‘Food for the Future Policy Framework,’ a proposal to transform food practices district-wide. The item passed unanimously.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools serves over 200,000 meals daily, a massive undertaking that influences student health, development, and academic achievement. Only 35% of students report that their cafeteria food “looks and tastes good.” In response, Board Member Santos hosted a community food policy town hall, where students, families, educators, and advocates shared insights and priorities. The ‘Food for the Future Policy Framework’ is rooted in national research, specialized task force recommendations, and community feedback.
The item directs the Superintendent of Schools to:
- Conduct a comprehensive review of current school nutrition practices aligned to the “Food for the Future Policy Framework,” including:
- Setting long-term nutrition goals to reduce ultra-processed foods and prioritize whole ingredients, scratch cooking, healthy fats, and reduced sugar.
- Review school operations to assess capacity for dishwashing and reusable service ware, access to filtered water, and cafeteria waste volume and disposal.
- Evaluate district capacity to expand access to locally grown food and reduce waste through composting, food donations, and scaling existing sustainability programs.
- Develop a publicly accessible dashboard to report on student health metrics, nutrition quality, sustainability indicators, and student meal feedback.
- Assess opportunities for student input on menus and ensure alignment with state nutrition education standards across K–12.
- Evaluate facility, equipment, and staffing needs to implement these initiatives, including required capital and operational investments.
- and present findings and recommendations at a School Board workshop no later than October 30, 2025.
“Nutrition is foundational to student health, learning, and long-term success. With the ‘Food for the Future Policy Framework,’ we are taking a bold step toward reimagining how our schools approach food,” said Board Member Santos. “This comprehensive review will help us understand where we stand, what’s possible, and how we can create a healthier, more equitable food system for every student in Miami-Dade.”
To read the full item, visit: https://luisasantos.com/priorities/
