In Brockton, families depend on school lunches to nourish their children, yet many face obstacles due to dietary restrictions and the quality of meals provided. Margarida Burrell’s eighth-grade son, who has been lactose intolerant since kindergarten, struggled with finding suitable dairy-free options until recently. Despite efforts to accommodate his needs, challenges persist in accessing nutritious and culturally diverse meals in Brockton cafeterias.
A coalition of middle and high school students from Brockton, represented by members like Brisa Oliveira Sousa from Brockton’s Youth SOL, is actively campaigning for improvements in school lunch quality. They argue that current offerings often lack nutritional value and fail to represent the diverse cultural backgrounds of students.
Recently, Youth SOL organized a community dinner at the Stacy Adam Cultural Center, drawing attention to food justice issues in Brockton. Local establishments contributed food, including fresh greens from Stonehill College’s garden, emphasizing the importance of sourcing locally and sustainably. Discussions centered on enhancing Brockton Public Schools’ (BPS) lunch menus to better meet students’ dietary needs and cultural preferences.
Michaela Lauture, director of youth organizing at the Brockton Interfaith Community, highlighted the broader challenges faced by Brockton residents, where half of the city qualifies as a food desert. Limited access to affordable, fresh food exacerbates the difficulty of providing nutritious meals for families, despite efforts to stretch budgets and navigate food stamp usage disparities.
Youth SOL’s advocacy has gained momentum since spring, pushing for a wider variety of cuisines beyond standard American fare like pizza and chicken patties. This effort aims to address the needs of Brockton’s predominantly diverse student population, where over 80% identify as people of color and many come from immigrant families.
Superintendent Mike Thomas, who previously supported initiatives to improve food quality in schools, faced challenges amid BPS’s budget deficit. His departure in August 2023 stalled planned discussions, but Youth SOL remains committed to collaborating with BPS leaders, including Acting Superintendent James Cobbs, to sustain dialogue and drive meaningful change.
Moving forward, Youth SOL plans to continue advocating for healthier, culturally relevant school lunches, aiming to ensure that every student in Brockton has access to nutritious meals that meet their dietary and cultural needs.
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