In Bexley Schools, Sharing a Meal Means Sharing a Culture
In Bexley City Schools, food is more than a meal, it’s an expression of identity. For many students, having the cafeteria serve dishes tied to their families’ traditions is like sharing a part of themselves with the community, and doing so in a space where they feel safe and welcome. That sense of belonging is at the heart of a series of “Celebration Meals” created by the district’s food services team in partnership with student groups. For Black History Month, students in the Black Student Union worked with Food Services Director Julianna Carvi to bring recipes from their families to the cafeteria menu. In May, the Asian American Pacific Islander Club and Jewish Student Union did the same. On those days, students lined up not just for lunch but for a chance to taste, and honor, the cultures represented in their own community. “Food is one of the most universal ways we connect as people,” Ms. Carvi said. “When a student sees their culture represented in a meal, or when they share food from their family with classmates, it builds understanding and a sense of belonging.” The Celebration Meals are part of a broader effort to make food a cornerstone of equity in Bexley. Since instituting Universal Free Breakfast in 2023, the district has served nearly 100,000 breakfasts at no cost to families. Dr. Stephen Lewis Sr., Leader of School Community Engagement, said that decision is about more than nutrition. “Every child deserves to start their day with the same foundation of nourishment and belonging,” he said. “Food should never be a barrier. It should be a bridge.” Ms. Carvi’s team has also pushed to replace highly processed items with scratch-made dishes that reflect flavors from around the world. Now in the third year of that initiative, students are served meals like seasoned rice bowls, scratch-made teriyaki, and fresh salads. For some, school may be the only place they encounter foods tied to cultures beyond their own. In Bexley, sharing a meal has become sharing a story. The cafeteria is no longer just a place to eat, but a place where students’ identities are recognized, their voices are amplified, and their cultures are celebrated. It is, in many ways, where equity begins—one dish at a time.
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