California Schools Struggle to Hire Cafeteria Workers Amid Minimum Wage Increase

The new $20-per-hour minimum wage for fast food workers intensifies competition for cafeteria staff in California's public schools, challenging districts to find new ways to attract employees.

California's minimum wage hike for fast food workers to $20 per hour forces public schools to compete for cafeteria staff.
School districts across California are implementing various strategies to attract and retain food service employees, including wage increases and benefits enhancements.
The demand for school meals has surged, with projections indicating over 70 million additional meals needed this year compared to 2018.
Some districts, like Sacramento Unified and San Luis Coastal Unified, have increased wages and expanded staff to meet the growing demand for school meals.
Despite challenges, school districts offer advantages such as health insurance, paid vacation, and job stability to attract workers.