How a Rockstar Lentil Burger Inspired More Plant-Forward School Food

San Luis Coastal USD Case Study 

Download the case study HERE
Download the Thai Basil Lentil Burger Recipe HERE.
Download the Thai Basil Lentil Burger Poster HERE
Download the Why are Lentils So Cool? Graphic HERE

This case study highlights San Luis Coastal Unified School District’s Thai Basil Lentil Burger, which has become one of the school’s most popular plant-forward entrees. The Case Study features recipe costs, information, and procurement details. This story showcases how this fresh, delicious and locally sourced plant-forward meal, combined with marketing and student engagement activities became a powerful motivational tool to increase student participation in school lunch!  

Friends of the Earth’s Climate-Friendly School Food Program helps school districts make the shift towards healthy, delicious, plant forward menus. The program provides technical assistance and marketing materials, supports student and community engagement strategies, and links school districts with the resources they need in order to be successful. Friends of the Earth also partners with school districts and NGOs to advocate for state and federal policy change. For more information about our program, you can click here. To request support on implementing climate-friendly food strategies, email [email protected].

Additional Resources:   

1. Organic School Food: A Roadmap for Success 
2. The State of School Lunch in California  
3. Scaling Up Healthy, Climate-Friendly School Food  
4. Organic, Plant-Forward, Scratch Cooked School Meals: A California Case Study 

Case Studies:  

1. Districts Pioneering Climate-Friendly School Food  
2. Organic School Food Case Studies 

Watch recordings from our Healthy, Climate-Friendly School Food Webinar Series!

1. Webinar 1: Organic, Plant-Forward, Scratch-Cooked School Meals: Is It Possible? 
2. Webinar 2: Organic School Food Purchasing: Stories from Three California School Districts 
3. Webinar 3: The Organic School Food Roadmap: Getting Started and Forging Partnerships 
4. Webinar 4: The State of School Menus in CA: Policy & Funding Options for Expanding Climate-Friendly Meals

infographics:

Carbon Footprint of the Top 10 Entrees on CA School Food Menus

Common Plant-Based Options on California School Menus