More than 950 students at Carlmont High School rely on free school lunches, but many of them do not know where their food comes from or how it is made. In fact, many meals are prepared before sunrise at the Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) Central Kitchen. There, staff assemble sandwiches and salads while distributing packaged ingredients to school sites, where hot meals are prepared fresh at campus kitchens. Each and every step follows strict United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition and safety regulations, ensuring that students receive reliable and balanced meals. This process is essential, especially for students who might not have food at home. Over time, Central Kitchen continues to move in a healthier direction, relying less on processed ingredients and more on ingredients sourced from local farmers.