Across Berkeley Unified, elementary and middle school students benefit from robust food, nutrition, and gardening programs. At the high school level, however, the size and complexity of Berkeley High School (BHS), along with the different realities of serving students at Berkeley Technology Academy (BTA), present unique challenges to food access during the school day.
Limited kitchen and cafeteria capacity, the challenge of providing meal options that appeal to a diverse student body, and social stigma around school meals can create barriers to district-provided breakfast and lunch.
At the same time, purchasing food off-campus isn’t an accessible alternative for every student, particularly as food costs continue to rise. Together, these challenges can make it harder for BUSD’s high school students in particular to access the nourishment they need to stay focused, engaged, and ready to learn.
At the Berkeley Public Schools Fund, we strive to meet students’ essential needs so they can succeed in school and beyond. In response to these unique challenges in the upper grades, we launched the High School Food Equity Program in 2023, providing funding for healthy snacks and fresh fruit in academic and equity-focused support programs across both high schools.
Today, the program reaches more than 2,000 students through key gathering spaces across both campuses, including the Black Scholar Center, RISE, Bridge, the BHS Family Resource Center, the Multilingual Program, the BCC Dual Enrollment Program, the Counseling Center, and the College & Career Center.
Each Monday morning, School Support Volunteers receive, sort, and distribute fresh fruit directly to classrooms and student centers. Students help shape the offerings, too, sampling potential options through snack tasting sessions and sharing feedback that guides purchasing decisions and reduces food waste.
Educators see the impact of the program firsthand. For Restorative Justice staff member Yolanda Brown-Clark, it begins with meeting an immediate need:
“It is such a blessing when kids come in looking for food to be able to offer them some fruit or snacks and know they won’t go hungry.”
But the impact often extends beyond the food itself. Food can foster greater communication and trust between students and educators. Cynthia Garcia from the Multilingual Program shared that “the biggest impact is the connection and stronger relationships I am able to create with my students.”
Sandra Maldonado at BTA sees this connection, too, sharing that fruit and snacks “provide an opportunity to check in with students, helping me to engage and provide support.”
Having food readily available can also help students stay engaged and focused throughout the school day. As one BHS student explained, having a snack while doing schoolwork “just helps to concentrate, too.”
The program continues to grow in response to student needs. In 2025–26, it expanded to Puente, Special Education counselors, Hispanic Engineers & Scientists Jr., and the National Society of Black Engineers Junior Chapter, with fresh fruit also provided during summer school and spring state testing.
The Schools Fund also invested $4,000 in the BHS Academy of Medicine & Public Service (AMPS) Food Pantry Internship, funding upgraded kitchen equipment, more diverse recipes, and food for students to prepare shared meals and take home. Additionally, in partnership with the Berkeley High Development Group, a $15,000 Equity Grant was awarded to support districtwide Food Justice Student Internships, where high school students earn wages as they lead on-campus food pantries and build on their community service experience.
The High School Food Equity Program is an important part of addressing food access in Berkeley’s high schools. As this work continues, we look forward to deepening our collaboration with BUSD and community partners to ensure every student has the nourishment they need to feel supported, stay engaged in school, and thrive.
