The UAW Local 2396 union, representing public school cafeteria employees, denounced serious problems in food distribution to school cafeterias, saying workers have had to borrow products from other schools and even spend their own money to prepare meals for students. Union president Nelly Ayala León said employees contact the organization daily to report shortages of basic products needed for established menus, with rice among the scarcest items, forcing some schools to substitute pasta more frequently and deviate from planned menus.
Ayala León said the problem is especially serious for students requiring modified or special diets, with employees reportedly buying eggs and other ingredients out of pocket to avoid disrupting service to those students. She said workers are making maximum effort and that the situation "has to be addressed," stressing no worker should have to spend personal money to ensure a child, including those with special dietary needs, receives food.
The union said Franchesca Reyes Benítez, director of the School Cafeteria Program, and Héctor Miranda, deputy director, are aware of the concerns regarding distribution and warehouse operations.