Gustine Unified School District is ready to start serving delicious and nutritious meals to the four schools in the district with the opening of the much-anticipated centralized kitchen on Feb. 27.

The food will be freshly cooked and then transported in a fully equipped van to Gustine Elementary, Romero Elementary, Gustine Middle and Gustine High School, which will be then served for breakfast and lunch and will provide more nutritious value. 

The opening of the project was celebrated by GUSD staff, administration and board members.

“I’m incredibly excited for the completion of the new Central Kitchen project and the amazing impact it will have on our students,” said GUSD Board Member Zachery Ramos. “This initiative means our kids will have access to freshly cooked meals made right here in our district—meals that feel like home. It’s a game-changer for student nutrition and well-being, and I can’t wait to see our students enjoy the quality and care that goes into every meal.”

The central kitchen will be able to prepare up to 2,000 meals a day. The District also is looking at menu expansions that will give students options “reminiscent of home-cooked meals,” GUSD Superintendent Dr. Bryan Ballenger previously told the Westside Connect.

“We’re exploring a diverse range of options, from fresh-baked bread and muffins to hearty soups and savory entrees like carne asada and hamburgers,” Ballenger said. “The introduction of a rotisserie oven opens up possibilities for dishes like chicken enchiladas and burritos—comfort foods that resonate with our students’ palates.”

The idea of the Central kitchen Project began a couple years ago when the District foresaw that the current options were not going to meet their growing needs.