The pilot program began last year at Katherine Johnson Middle School and is now expanding. The goal, however, goes beyond a single menu item. Photo courtesy of the San Juan Unified School District

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - At Encina High School’s cafeteria, 12th-grade student Takbirullah often found himself picking at only part of his lunch, a slice of bread here and some vegetables there, while the rest of his meal went untouched. 

“When I heard that San Juan Unified is starting the halal burrito piloting program, I felt so good,” he said, his face lighting up with a smile. “Now Muslim students like me will finally have more options to eat at school. That is the best feeling.”

Starting mid-September, San Juan Unified School District rolled out its pilot of halal-certified bean and cheese burritos across all schools whenever the item appears on the menu.

Halal meals are foods prepared according to Islamic dietary guidelines, which include specific rules for how ingredients are sourced and handled.

For many students and families, the program is about more than just a meal. It's about ensuring students feel respected and included. For 11th-grade student Yalda at Encina High School, the news sounded like a milestone.

“This is the best opportunity for Muslim students in American schools,” she said. “It means we don’t have to go home hungry. Our parents will be happy too. It is the best news for us.”

Families are welcoming the change. Esmatullah Hananzai, father of three students at Starr King K-8, explained that his children often skip parts of their lunch, such as meat, to avoid food that is not halal.

“If halal food is available, I know my kids won’t go or come home hungry, and they’ll be able to concentrate on their lessons,” he said. “When I first heard about the program, I felt very excited.”

Another Starr King parent, Abdullah Saeed, called the move both culturally respectful and economically helpful.

“It makes our kids feel included and supported at school. Whoever decided this, we welcome it. It is a great opportunity for our students,” he said. 

Behind the scenes, San Juan Unified’s Nutrition Services team has been working hard to make this possible. Sneh Nair, director of nutrition services, said the idea grew out of the district’s commitment to serving its diverse community.

“Our population is so diverse, and many of our families eat halal,” Nair said. “That diversity inspired us to pilot halal foods at select schools and now expand access districtwide.”

Nair explained that the pilot program is district-wide whenever the halal burrito appears on the meal menu, but the district is primarily focusing on three diverse schools, including Encina High School, Starr King K-8 and Dyer-Kelly Elementary School. The pilot of having the burrito on the menu each school day at these three schools will begin on Oct. 7 and continue through Oct. 31.

The district is starting with halal-certified burritos sourced from trusted vendors. Each halal item will carry a clear mark that reads “Halal” on the wrapper and packaging, and printed menus will feature a letter “H” so students and families know it is certified. 

“We are very careful,” Nair emphasized. “Only products with proper halal certification make it to our menus.”

She also encouraged families to help students feel comfortable trying the new offerings.

“We do encourage parents to tell their children to try it,” Nair said.

The pilot program began last year at Katherine Johnson Middle School and is now expanding. The goal, however, goes beyond a single menu item.

“We want every student to feel comfortable eating in the cafeteria with their peers,” Nair said. “Having choices helps students feel like they belong to their school community.”

For students such as Takbirullah, Yalda and countless others, the halal option is not just about lunch, it is a symbol of inclusion. 

As Yalda put it, “Everyone will love it. Everyone will eat. And no one will have to go hungry.”