February 27, 2025

The NextGen team along with our School Meals for All Coalition partners co-hosted a one-hour virtual legislative briefing with Senator Caroline Menjivar (SD-20). The convening was designed to provide an overview of California’s first-in-the-nation School Meals for All program. Participants learned about the program’s many benefits, including reduced student hunger and how it supports school nutrition professionals, local communities, California farmers, and much more. Speakers included: 

• State Senator Caroline Menjivar (SD-20)
• Kim Frinzell, Director, California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division
• Tiffany Germain, Research & Policy Advisor, NextGen California  
• Abby Halperin, Senior Policy and Evaluation Manager, Center for Ecoliteracy 
• Erin Primer, Director of Food Services, San Luis Coastal Unified School District 
• Carter Beardsley, Senior, Kern High School District, and Region 8 President, California Association of Student Councils
• Marchon Tatmon, Associate Director, Policy and Advocacy, SF-Marin Food Bank
• Wendi Gosliner, DrPH, RD, Director of Food Policy Research and Translation, Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR)

This webinar was hosted in partnership with the original co-sponsors of the School Meals for All legislation: Office of Kat Taylor, Center for Ecoliteracy, and the California Association of Food Banks.

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Webinar Slide Deck

 

Webinar Recording