Chicago Public Schools Celebrates National School Lunch Week 2025

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CHICAGO - Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will celebrate National School Lunch Week next week (October 13 to 17), highlighting the District's commitment to providing free, healthy, and nutritionally-balanced meals that support student well-being and academic success. Research has long indicated that nutritious meals can enhance student concentration, memory, and cognitive function, all of which are essential for learning and development.

"Our school meals are developed with students at the center. Each year, the Nutrition Support Services team collects feedback directly from students to ensure our menus reflect students' tastes and preferences," said Interim CPS CEO/Superintendent Dr. Macquline King. "Proper nourishment is foundational to student academic achievement."

CPS recently earned national recognition for its efforts to elevate the quality of school meals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service and Action for Healthy Kids honored CPS with four Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) Awards. These awards recognize school districts that make significant efforts to improve nutrition, engage community members, and increase access to healthy meals.

The District won the HMI Award in the following categories:

- Innovation in Nutrition Education

- Innovative School Lunch Makeover

- Breakfast Trailblazer

- Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals

The CPS Office of Nutrition Support Services (NSS) nutrition standards go beyond USDA requirements by reducing artificial ingredients and increasing the use of wholesome, seasonal, and culturally-relevant foods and meals. CPS meals include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and milk every day. Many ingredients are sourced locally year-round, supporting both student health and the regional economy.

To celebrate National School Lunch Week, the District is hosting tasting events across various schools, allowing students to share their opinions on new menu items. Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies in Edgewater will host a tasting at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 16.

As part of its commitment to cultural responsiveness, the District launched a Chef Residency program in School Year 2025. This program features recipes inspired by local culinary leaders, including Chicago's own Mother Wade, and brings community culinary style into CPS cafeterias. In addition, more than two dozen high schools hosted Pop-Up Test Kitchens in 2025 to date, offering students more customizable options with premium ingredients and new recipes shaped by their feedback.

"The Nutrition Support Services team is deeply committed to listening to students and continuously enhancing the overall quality of school meals," said Interim Executive Director of Nutrition Support Services Tarrah DeClemente. "Students are candid in their feedback, and our team uses that input to create meals they are proud to serve and that students truly enjoy."

National School Lunch Week was established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy to raise awareness about the vital role of school meals in students' lives. Through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a USDA program, all CPS students, regardless of family income, have access to free meals, eliminating the need for applications and ensuring that every child can enjoy the nutrition they need to succeed.

To learn more about CPS meals or to view school-specific menus, visit the District's online platform, MealViewer, at cps.edu/mealviewer.