SAN YSIDRO–San Ysidro School District and a local fishery have created a new locally sourced dish for the District’s 5,200 students as part of California Thursdays, a program that brings locally sourced produce and food products to San Ysidro each week.
The new recipe, a parmesan crusted corvina fish fillet and freshly baked potato wedges, marks the efforts of a deepening partnership with Catalina Offshore, a San Diego fishery that adheres to strict catch regulations to ensure fish populations remain in good condition.
Catalina Offshore gets fish from the Baja Peninsula using traditional hand lines, responsible fishing practices and panga fishing boats that are beach-launched daily.
“This partnership with Catalina Offshore has given us the resources to bring quality food to our students,” said Pamela Lambert, San Ysidro School District director of nutrition services. “We would not be able to supply such fresh fish to our students without Catalina Offshore; they really have made an impact on our community and increased the sustainability of this program.”
California Thursdays began with the Berkeley-based Center for Ecoliteracy, which serves fresh meals prepared with California-grown food to more than 50 California school districts, including 12 in San Diego County.
“We are more than excited that we are a part of this program,” Superintendent Dr. Julio Fonseca said. “We are continuously trying to improve our food choices and with this program we can bring healthy, local, and fresh food to our students.”
The District’s Nutrition Service Department has served many recipes created by students, including Pollo Local and Fiesta Rice, Under the Sea Platter, San Ysidro Fish Taco’s, Mama Mia Pasta, and Willow Ceviche.
“It’s important for our students to learn about sustainability and eating healthy,” SYSD Board President Marcos Diaz said. “We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Catalina Offshore because it represents our commitment to helping our community prosper and our commitment to our students.”
Lambert said the District hopes to eventually expand its use of locally sourced food beyond the California Thursdays weekly program, making partnerships such as the one with Catalina Offshore even more valuable.
The San Ysidro School District’s Child Nutrition Department serves more than 5,000 breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners a day.
