Bravo. I've been amazed at how a simple thing like changing a diet of a child can affect the child's ability to concentrate, think, and learn.

It's been a while and my memory is hazy, but I recall the film "Supersize Me" described one case where a school replaced the junk food in their vending machines and cafeterias with healthier alternatives, and almost overnight they noticed improvements in terms of less disruptive behavior and better academic performance. It struck me then that the reason the quality of education has declined in this country (and in California) may not be due to the teachers, facilities, etc., but simply due to what we're feeding our kids.

My daughter stopped eating in the cafeteria at Crittenden, she claims it takes too long waiting in line, and prefers to spend the time eating and socializing.

My daughter at Graham also quit eating at the cafeteria because of the long lines and with kids cutting into line making the wait even longer. If she forgets her lunch, she BEGS me to bring it to school before lunch.

RE: "district's child nutrition department was losing as much as $144,000 a year due to dwindling student participation in the school lunch program" That's because you are feeding many children who's parents don't have to pay.

This is a good development. My two kids decided years ago that they preferred the healthier lunches we packed for them. It may be time for them to try the cafeteria food again.

"New meals on the lunch menu include salads with Brussels sprouts and kale topped with the district's own vinaigrette, vegetable stew with polenta and stuffed peppers with quinoa." Kids don't want to eat this garbage! This is just politically correct garbage by MV's ultra-lib school administrators. Where's the protein? Where are the meat, milk, and eggs? Where are the carbs and fat? This diet may be palatable for anorexic teen-age girls and vegan zombies, but not for healthy, active, and growing kids. If this is all that MV can do, then I politely (Hah!)suggest that they close all of their kitchens, fire the employees, and outsource meals to McDonalds and Chipotle.

No one cares about your diet preferences, grumpy. Although it would explain your posts here...

OldMV, McDonald's might be great food for trolls, but my kids have been raised on healthy stuff like kale and yes, they actually like it. You and Steve Nelson should go have a nice unHappy Meal together.

The changes in the food offerings have been a tremendous improvement. I couldn't believe the garbage being fed to kids a few years ago. Chicken patties that were cold in the middle, Cheetos (low salt!), brown, mushy apple slices-- total garbage food and yes it was the kids who need that food most who were the ones eating it. I applaud Juan Cordon for his excellent work. And the district for finally coming around.