Guam Department of Education and Sodexo roll out ‘Lunch with a Loved One'

Sitting down for a meal with your kids during the week seems impossible when they're off at school but thanks to a new initiative, public elementary school students now get to share lunch with their loved ones. 

KUAM stopped by Maria Ulloa Elementary to check out what's on the menu!

Full tummies and even fuller hearts, the cafeteria at Maria Ulloa Elementary School was brimming with excitement as the students at the home of the carabaos enjoyed lunch with their loved ones.  

Jeremy Cepeda, a Maria Ulloa parent, commented on the new program.

“Man, it actually feels good! He was really excited to have me over,” said Cepeda. 

It's part of an initiative by the Guam Department of Education’s Food and Nutrition Services Division and Sodexo, celebrating National School Lunch Week throughout various public elementary campuses. 

Rene Suruda is with Sodexo.

“It’s so great to have the parents in the schools and trying the food, and we’re getting feedback from them about the food–so, it’s also a great opportunity for them to give us feedback about what they like to see on the menu,” said Suruda. 

Suruda and her team served up a plate of “school-food” red rice, a seasoned drumstick, local cucumber salad, and pineapple. 

The meal even got the thumbs up from a mother-daughter duo.

“She actually told me that the cucumbers are really good! So she really likes the cucumber,” said parent Joisel Gil.

It’s an event hoping to bring smiles to more faces through the tail end of the month.