Reporting by McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press
The Adelanto Elementary School District announced a list of Adelanto schools that will offer free breakfast and lunch to students under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program for the 2026-2027 school year.
The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946, and provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.
According to online data, 17.2% of Adelanto families are living below the poverty line — $21,150 for households with two incomes. This figure increased nearly 1% from last year’s data.
The Adelanto poverty rate is well above the California state average, which sits at a 12% poverty rate.
All students will be served breakfast and lunch at no charge beginning when the new school year starts Aug. 6, 2026, at the following Adelanto schools to help offset hunger for children living under the poverty line:
- Adelanto Elementary School
- Columbia Middle School
- Donald F. Bradach Elementary
- Eagle Ranch Elementary
- El Mirage School
- George Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School
- Gus Franklin Jr Stem School
- Melva Davis Academy of Excellence
- Mesa Linda Middle School
- Morgan Kincaid Preparatory of Integrated Studies
- Theodore Vick School
- Victoria Magathan Elementary
- West Creek Elementary
- Westside Park Elementary
Updates to the school meal standard for Adelanto schools
Research shows that school meals are the most nutritious food source for American schoolchildren. Updates to the School Nutrition Standards are constantly refreshed. Since 2024, schools have been offering products with less added sugar, especially in school breakfast, according to the USDA.
This includes limits on specific high sugar products like cereals, yogurts and flavored milk. Additionally, school cafeterias under this program have been gradually reducing the amount of sodium in students’ school meals.
The new standard changes that started in 2024 and will be implemented for the 2026-27 school year include more whole grains and fruit, vegetable, and protein options in the school cafeteria. A sample breakfast provided by the USDA under this program includes eggs and cheese on a whole wheat biscuit, strawberries, local vegetables and low-fat milk.
The USDA still allows student favorites on the menu like doughnuts, toaster pastries, and syrups and condiments, but at a reduced weekly rate.
A sample lunch under the new USDA standard could include things like a turkey sandwich, salad, cheese, diced cantaloupe and flavored milk with less added sugars, according to the official USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.
McKenna is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press.
