Bay Area school districts struggle to retain, recruit food workers

Several Bay Area school districts have been struggling to recruit and retain cafeteria workers, the Mercury News reported, and demand for these workers is at an all-time high. 

A statewide survey of nearly 200 school nutrition departments found that in the 2022-23 school year, 12% of food staff positions were vacant, which according to the Mercury News, is three times higher than vacant teaching positions across the country. Cupertino Union, San Francisco Unified, Fremont Unified and San Ramon Valley Unified are among the districts struggling to fill open food positions. 

There was a 3% increase in the number of students receiving school lunches and breakfast since 2022, when California became the first state to offer free meals regardless of income, the Mercury News reported. 

Low wages and inadequate hours are the greatest contributors to staff shortages, the Mercury News reported. The yearly turnover rate for food workers in schools is 12% in the Bay Area.