How Sodexo Brought Culture, Community and Scratch-Made Meals to the Cafeteria

Chef in black gloves and hat poses with peace signs behind a table of colorful food dishes.At Nogales Unified School District #1, food is a connection to home. In a predominantly Hispanic community, Sodexo At School partnered with the district to reimagine the dining experience through scratch-made, culturally relevant meals that honor tradition, foster belonging and meet modern nutrition standards.

By listening to students, parents and staff, the team introduced authentic dishes like homemade tortillas, carne con chile and chilaquiles — all made from scratch while maintaining compliance and controlling costs.

The results:

  • 10% increase in meal participation within the first semester
  • Improved student satisfaction and engagement across all schools
  • Stronger sense of cultural pride and community connection
  • Enhanced operational efficiency with locally sourced ingredients

Discover how Sodexo At School brought the taste of home to Nogales — and the measurable difference it made.

Download the case study and discover what’s possible

 

See how one district transformed school dining into a story of connection and culture.

 

Download the case study to learn how Sodexo At School helped Nogales Unified School District #1 improve satisfaction, participation, and community engagement through scratch-made, authentic meals that reflect students’ heritage and nourish success.

Two tablets show documents on sustainable, culturally-relevant meals in a school district. 

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