Dec. 3—California schools are getting crative to satisfy the new meal regulations on their menus.
Middle schools in San Jose's Oak Grove School District have launched popular "topping bars," stocked with such items as diced onions, jalapeños, olives and beans. Ford Elementary and other West Contra Costa district schools have introduced "meatless Mondays," along with 100 percent whole-grain foods. Students in the New Haven district in Union City are treated to Spanish rice and chicken fajitas made from scratch. In Oakland schools, lunches include grass-fed beef hot dogs, handmade chicken enchiladas and vegetarian enchiladas made with black beans and tofu. Meanwhile, teens at Mt. Diablo High in Concord are feasting on grilled vegetables hot off a barbecue.