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School Food Survey 2025 Results

The annual school food survey is an opportunity for students and parents to share opinions about their school meal program and preferences about meal offerings. Our goal is to increase participation in school meals by offering food that reflects the preferences of our students and families, while meeting federal and local requirements.

About the Survey

  • The 2025 survey was open for 40 days beginning in February, and responses came from schools across the city.
  • The overall response rate across the entire District was about 12% based on District enrollment at the time responses were collected. In SY24 the district response rate was 15%.
  • Students were more likely to respond than parents responding on behalf of students.
  • There was a higher response rate from elementary schools (13%) than high schools (12%).
  • Congratulations to our survey winners: Clay Elementary School and World Language High School!

Response Rate by ARA Region

 

ARA Region Map

Key Takeaways

Greater variety of menu choices and higher quality menu items were the highest components of what would make student more likely to eat breakfast/lunch at school. Additionally, the top three most important features of the school meal program were access to free school meals, meals offering variety, and menu integrity.

One CPS. One Sauce.

Should CPS have its own special sauce? We asked, you answered. Whether you're thinking of dunking, dipping, or drizzling, the idea of a signature sauce stirred up curiosity (and maybe a little hunger).

Do you think CPS needs its own special sauce?

 

Meal Item Frequency

We increased the frequency of pizza or pizza-like offerings to once a week, and increased Grab & Go offerings. We're looking to increase salad offerings as well.

 

School Meal Satisfaction

We switched fully to white rice and added new cultural flavors and sauces to rice recipes inspired by the diversity of our city. We wanted to gauge student satisfaction with the new recipes and with protein-rich breakfast items.

 

School Meal Participation

Variety, Quality, and Portion Sizes remain important factors for school lunch participation.

 

How satisfied are you with the following aspects of the school meal program?

All categories' "very dissatisfied" sections decreased compared to 23-24!

     

 

Rank the importance of the following features of the meal program