^{Thumbnail Photo by Paul Critz.}

A press release from the Del Norte Unified School District:

The Del Norte Unified School District (DNUSD) is moving forward with plans to build a new central kitchen that will enhance student nutrition services across the district. 

On June 5, the School Board approved a $400,000 contract for architectural and engineering services, officially launching the planning and design phase of this important infrastructure project.

Funding for this contract comes exclusively from state-allocated Kitchen and Infrastructure Training (KIT) funds, which are restricted to school nutrition services programs. As a result, the project will move forward without drawing from the district’s general fund—preserving local resources while enabling DNUSD to begin the essential planning and design work for the new central kitchen.

“This is a significant milestone in our effort to strengthen our food service infrastructure and continue providing high-quality meals to our students,” said Julie Bjorkstrand, Director of Nutrition Services. 

“The central kitchen will be a vital hub that supports fresh preparation for all our schools.”

The current allocation only funds the project’s architectural and engineering work. To advance into construction, additional resources will be required. Director of Nutrition Services Julie Bjorkstrand is already pursuing grants and forging county- and state-level partnerships to secure the remaining dollars, ensuring construction is fully supported while safeguarding our school budgets.

Beyond the day-to-day role of supporting school meals, the central kitchen will also serve as a countywide resource during emergencies, enabling rapid meal preparation and distribution when communities need it most.

The central kitchen project is a long-term investment that will modernize food-service operations, expand student access to nutritious meals, and strengthen food security for the entire Del Norte County community. Approval of this initial contract signals our official kickoff, launching an exciting, multi-phase project over the coming years.