As of April 1, 2025, the Portland Public Schools have started serving Halal meals as a daily lunch option.  Halal refers to foods that are permissable for Muslims to eat.  Halal foods are free of ingredients like pork or alcohol and comply with rules and standards around prepration and cleanliness.  Portland Public Schools’ Halal meals are healthy, more inclusive menu items, that all students can enjoy — not just students who follow a Halal way of eating.  Portland Public Schools now join South Portland and Wesbrook schools, in offering Halal meals.

Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or allowed.  All Halal meals will be labeled with a green sticker, indicating that they were prepared in the district’s now-certified Halal central kitchen.