K-12 Segment Update: What You Need to Know

Did you know that a whopping $17.9 billion is expected to be spent on K-12 foodservice in 2025? That’s a lot of school breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.¹

So what’s happening in schools across the country? What are K-12 operators across the country dealing with? What do parents and guardians of students think about current K-12 offerings—and what do they want in the future?

As you dive headfirst into the spring semester and begin planning for summer and a brand new school year in the fall, here’s your chance to check in on the K-12 landscape—and discover recipe ideas that are designed to get your students excited.

What’s driving growth?

What’s driving growth in the K-12 segment? Overall, while schools are experiencing declining enrollment (though the numbers are different from school to school and district to district, of course), participation rates are increasing. That’s true for both breakfast and lunch.¹

Other growth drivers in K-12 include:

• Schools across the country are adding more innovative options, like local food partnerships and school gardens, that resonate with both students and parents.

• K-12 menus have stabilized as operators have found a healthy mix between the essential items they have to have and the innovative options that get students excited.

• More schools are qualifying for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), allowing them to offer free breakfast and lunch and boost participation.¹

What are the pain points?

Of course, the K-12 segment still has its difficulties and pain points. Schools have many of the same problems that foodservice operators throughout the country are dealing with, including labor shortages and a lack of skilled labor, supply chain challenges, and higher prices.¹

But K-12 also deals with issues that are particular to the segment:

• As noted before, enrollment continues to decrease. While that has been offset by higher participation rates, that won’t always be possible.

• Operators have numerous day-to-day challenges that they deal with, from challenges planning the menu to limited prep areas.

• USDA partnerships and purchasing issues continue to be a challenge for K-12 operators.¹

What do parents and guardians think?

K-12 foodservice is an essential need for many families. In fact, over half of those households who use K-12 foodservice options say they do so at least once a day, with a quarter saying their students use it multiple times a day. For many families, it’s both convenient for their child to eat at school, while over half of K-12 users say that meals are free in their school district, which is a key motivator to participate.¹

But there are some clear opportunities for K-12 operators to improve their standing with K-12 parents and guardians:

• While 91% of K-12 users say food quality is important to them, only 44% give K-12 a good rating for quality. K-12 has an opportunity to showcase to parents and guardians that food quality standards are high.

• Well over a third—36% of users—say that service quality has improved in K-12 schools, the largest increase of any metric.

• 83% of K-12 households say that the foods served in school cafeterias should be something that teachers and staff would want to eat, as well. In other words, they should be universally appetizing across generations.

Users also named a wide range of options they wanted from K-12 menus, including more local ingredients, high-protein options, and the removal of artificial colors and flavors. But the number one option that parents and guardians want for their children? More unique and innovative foods being offered.¹

New product launch: Vegetable Fried Rice

If you’re looking to give students those innovative options that they are demanding and their parents want them to eat, Simplot has a brand new product for K-12 to get students excited: fried rice. Simplot’s Good Grains™ Vegetable Fried Rice qualifies for the whole grain credit and has only 260mg of sodium per K-12 serving. It’s easy to prep and has been formulated without milk, eggs, soy, or sesame. But most importantly, kids love the rich, savory flavor.

Ideas that win with students

We know K-12 operators are dealing with labor shortages and a lack of skilled workers, while at the same time needing to offer the innovative, student-pleasing options that keep kids engaged. As you plan your menu, these recipe ideas can be both labor-savers and student favorites:

• Use Simplot’s brand new vegetable fried rice in Mini Fried Rice Cups. Featuring Simplot RoastWorks® RTE Unseasoned Peppers & Onions (a K-12 workhorse that can add flavorful veggies to any number of dishes), this globally-inspired option can be a side or even stand alone snack. Plus, they feature the rich flavor of Simplot Harvest Fresh® Diced Avocado.

• As more students opt for K-12 breakfast, you constantly need new ways to keep the morning menu exciting. Consider a On-the-Go Bagel Kit, which can give kids a fun way to personalize their breakfast and keep them engaged. Students can customize their bagel with options like flavor-packed Simplot Harvest Fresh® Everything Bagel Flavored Avocado Spread or colorful RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Simply Sweet® Corn.

• For lunch, a Sweet Potato, Corn, and Black Bean Quesadilla offers the right combination of flavorful veggies and indulgent cheese. Simplot’s brightly-colored RoastWorks® Roasted Sweet Potatoes and RTE Flame-Roasted Corn & Black Bean Fiesta Blend makes this entrée a must-grab for students.

Looking for even more ideas? Check out Simplot’s 2025 K-12 Trend Feast®, a free guide to the latest trends impacting K-12 foodservice. Filled with inspirational ideas designed with the K-12 operator in mind, this fun guide will be a go-to menu planning resource and idea starter in the year ahead.

¹ Datassential, K-12 Segment Guide, 2025