Orfalea School Food Program Given High Marks

The Orfalea Fund’s nine-year, $7.8 million program that has transformed cafeterias in public schools across the county scored high marks recently in an independent evaluation. The study, carried out by Carlsbad-based Evaluation Specialists, found that the organization’s School Food Initiative added more organic and locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables to school kitchens while cutting back on processed ingredients. The program also surpassed state and federal guidelines for sugar, salt, and fat. Launched in 2003 by Kinko’s founder Paul Orfalea and his wife, Natalie, the Orfalea Fund sunsets at the end of 2015, totaling more than $175 million in grants.