How Hillsborough City School District Doubled Student Lunch Participation With Ordo

When Hillsborough City School District set out to improve its school meal program, the district leaders knew they needed to make some big changes. Across the district’s four schools, only ~20% of students participated in school lunch. Families and staff repeatedly expressed concerns about processed meals and lack of freshness. Participation was low, satisfaction was lower, and the program was stuck.

At the start of the 2025–2026 school year, Hillsborough parted ways with its old vendor and signed an agreement with Ordo to begin a new food service.

A Fresh Start with Scratch-Made Meals

From day one, Ordo introduced a rotating menu of chef-crafted meals, fresh produce, and whole ingredients—food that students would love, not just to meet minimum requirements. Hillsborough families immediately noticed the difference. Staff described the new meals as “a great improvement”, and students started picking up lunch in droves. 

This wasn’t just a menu upgrade. It was a complete revitalization of the dining experience for both students and staff. Ordo’s software made it easy for the school nutrition team to place orders, provide feedback, and address any issues as they arose.

By the second month, participation had skyrocketed 112%. Hillsborough went from ~20% of students eating school lunch to over 50%—more than doubling the number of students eating meals at Hillsborough schools every day.

For school administrators, this wasn’t just a nice-to-have result; it fundamentally changed the performance of the district’s nutrition program. Higher participation translated into happier families, greater financial stability, and a more equitable experience for students.

What Made the Difference

1. Scratch-made, fresh meals every day

Students responded quickly to higher-quality food, including flavorful entrées, vibrant vegetables, and fresh sides prepared from real ingredients.

2. A partner focused on continuous improvement

Ordo collaborated closely with Hillsborough food service leaders, gathering feedback weekly and making adjustments to the menu and delivery.

3. A dramatically improved experience for families and staff

Parents and staff appreciated the shift away from processed options and toward meals they felt confident serving their own children.

A District Transformed

Within the first few months, Hillsborough City School District turned a weak lunch program into one of the best in the area. With Ordo, the district delivered better food, improved student satisfaction, and built a service that families could trust.

Hillsborough’s success demonstrates what’s possible with fresh, scratch-made food in schools: participation grows, students thrive, and the entire community feels the impact.