San Diego Unified to offer ‘to-go meals' for students fasting during Ramadan
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Unified School District announced Thursday that it will be offering 'to-go meals' for students who are fasting during Ramadan.
For those unfamiliar, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and is considered 'the holy month of fasting,' which is abided by daily from dawn to sunset. For Muslims, according to the Associated Press, it's a time of increased worship, charity and good deeds.
In recognition of students in the school district who honor Ramadan, San Diego Unified's Food & Nutrition Services Department, also known as Sandi Coast Cafe, has created a special to-go menu. Officials with the district explained in a press release that this program is meant to 'promote nutrition security and health equity for its students.'
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The food service is made possible through a a waiver by the California Department of Education, which grants school districts in the Golden State the ability to serve non-congregate meals as part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. Learn more about the Ramadan to-go meals on the San Diego Unified website.
'This waiver from the state, combined with the hard work of our nutrition staff and cooperation with school site leaders, will allow us to better serve all of our students and families,' said Alicia Pitrone Hauser, Director of Food & Nutrition Services for San Diego Unified. 'For students fasting during Ramadan, this program allows us to send meals home with children to meet their nutrition needs once the daily fast has concluded.'
The to-go meals campaign is slated to begin on Feb. 24 and will run through March 28. The Sandi Coast Cafe will provide precooked and packaged meals that can be taken home and easily prepared.
'Families that are interested in participating are asked to fill out a Ramadan meals request form, similar to those that are used for field trips and other offsite locations,' district officials noted.
'I have never heard of a food program like this. I'm happy that this will be offered to my children as they fast during Ramadan,' said Mohammad Jawad Shirzai, a parent at Mira Mesa High School. 'The United States has a lot of positive things but one of the greatest things about this country is that they are accepting people from all backgrounds, ideologies, beliefs and religions.'
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