The Salad Bar generally consists of four vegetable options (including lettuce mix), three fruit options,
two to three protein options, a grain option and milk. Children are encouraged by our
volunteers to make a healthy, balanced lunch and to try new items as they are introduced.

At the Food For Thought Salad Bar students are able to:

       Learn to make healthy choices by creating salad bar meals that include fresh fruits
       and vegetables

       Sample those locally grown fruits and vegetables which do become available in season, many of        which may be novel to children, such as Fuyu persimmons, blood oranges, pixie tangerines, kiwis,        yellow watermelon, sweet peppers and more

       Create a lunch which contains little or no processed foods, artificial ingredients, additives,
       or preservatives

       Build a connection to local farmers who are providing their produce

       Learn about seasonality and the diversity of Ventura County’s agriculture community

The Salad Bar is available five days a week at Matilija Junior High and once a week at our three large elementary schools (Meiners Oaks, Miramonte, and Topa Topa). The school district’s two smaller elementary schools that do not have full kitchens (San Antonio and Summit) and Nordhoff High School are provided pre-packaged salads featuring as much locally grown produce as possible.

The seasonal locally grown fruits and vegetables featured on the salad bar are indicated in the Food For Thought salad bar menu. We provide information on the farm and its location for all locally grown produce so kids, teachers and parents know where it came from and who grew it.