Foodies, chefs and parents are taking to social media to share how School Food Professionals are transforming school food for the better and supporting student success across California. Here’s what they’ve been saying.
Teacher Nura Sharif
When Nura’s son came home from school to share his love for his cafeteria’s new build-your-own salad bar, she was shocked. He’d never liked vegetables that much. She’s grateful for the School Food Professionals introducing kids to new flavors while still giving them the autonomy to choose what they like.
Ever cooked for four kids? Hannah has, and that’s why she has so much respect for the School Food Professionals cooking for thousands. Not only are they cooking at scale, they’re incorporating healthy ingredients, navigating allergies and dietary restrictions and sourcing local produce.
Remy is happy to see that School Food Professionals are designing menus that accommodate a wide variety of preferences and dietary restrictions. It takes skill, creativity and passion to plan and cook meals for so many different palates!
Gabby, an elementary school teacher, knows that food gives kids the energy they need to focus on learning. By cooking food that’s both good and good for you, School Food Professionals are helping set Gabby’s students up for success.
When Victoria was a student, there was little variety in the meals her school offered. Now, she’s thrilled students have access to a diverse range of meals that provide the building blocks that growing minds and bodies need.
See for yourself what all the buzz is about and join the conversation with #CASchoolFoodPros and #PoweredBySchoolFoodPros on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Chefs, parents and foodies are taking to social media to share their appreciation for School Food Professionals who are making nourishing school meals that support California students in the classroom and beyond. Here’s what they’ve shared.
Food Blogger Susanna (@smelly.lunchbox)
Susanna used to be embarrassed to bring dumplings to eat at school. Now, her former school district in San Francisco serves dumplings on the menu! She’s impressed by School Food Professionals preparing more fresh, balanced school lunches that celebrate different cultures, create a sense of belonging, and introduce students to new flavors.
With high-quality, fresh meals cooked at school, Nia has one less thing on her plate as a busy mom. She’s grateful that the School Food Professionals at her daughter’s school care just as much as she does about her daughter’s well-being and access to healthy food.
Kat still remembers the first salad she ate in middle school. Now, she’s thrilled that her kids can fill their plates with a range of vegetables prepared by School Food Professionals at their school’s salad bar.
Brandon, a dad to three children in San Francisco, is impressed by the skill, craft and dedication that School Food Professionals need to cook tasty meals that help kids stay focused and ready to learn.
As a personal chef and parent, Chef T understands the impact of healthy, delicious food on the mind and body. She’s celebrating the School Food Professionals using farm-fresh ingredients to cook school food that sets students up for success.
See for yourself what all the buzz is about and join the conversation with #CASchoolFoodPros and #PoweredBySchoolFoodPros on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Teachers, chefs and parents are taking to social media to share how School Food Professionals are transforming school food for the better and supporting student success across California. Here’s what they’ve been saying.
Author and Chef Jenny Martinez
Jenny remembers being embarrassed to bring her mom’s traditional Mexican lunches to school. Now, she’s proud that her two boys are able to eat tamales, pozole, pupusas and other culturally relevant meals at school thanks to School Food Professionals.
Ms. Cruz saw the atmosphere in her classroom completely change when the School Food Professionals switched to healthier meals that reflected her students’ preferences and backgrounds. Students were more energized and ready to learn, making it clear that good school food is key to student success.
Ellen shared her admiration and appreciation for California’s School Food Professionals who are transforming school food for the better. As a cook herself, she knows the skill and dedication it takes to plan, prepare and cook healthy and yummy meals at scale.
Rie is delighted to hear about the work School Food Professionals have done to improve school food across the state. Knowing that her son will have access to tasty, scratch-cooked meals when he starts school puts Rie’s mind at ease.
Spending time near School Food Professionals as a kid fed Catherine’s love for food and cooking. Beyond just making sure kids are well fed, School Food Professionals can encourage lifelong healthy habits, contribute to a strong school community and inspire passion for cooking.
See for yourself what all the buzz is about and join the conversation with #CASchoolFoodPros and #PoweredBySchoolFoodPros on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Students, teachers, foodies and others are taking to social media to share how School Food Professionals are transforming school food for the better and supporting student success across California. Here’s what they’ve been saying.
School Food Professional Sara, MPH, RD
Join Sara, a registered dietitian and School Food Professional, as she takes you through a week in her life creating new recipes, taste-tasting produce with students and prepping fresh, healthy meals.
Jennifer understands the skill and dedication needed to craft healthy and delicious meals for thousands of students, and she loves seeing how school food continues to evolve for the better thanks to the work of School Food Professionals.
Enrrique, a student at Chula Vista Elementary School District, loves how his school has stepped up their food game with delicious recipes from around the world. As a Type 1 diabetic, it’s especially important that Enrrique has access to healthy school food.
Vince has a passion for great food, so he’s thrilled to see school food getting a major upgrade thanks to the hard work of California’s School Food Professionals.
Jayden, a student athlete, knows the power of school food on his academic and athletic performance. He’s grateful for the School Food Professionals who set him up for success with healthy school meals.
Kellie, a teacher, is thankful for the School Food Professionals who plan, prep and cook fresh and delicious meals so that her students can better focus in the classroom.
See for yourself what all the buzz is about and join the conversation with #CASchoolFoodPros and #PoweredBySchoolFoodPros on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Bakers, educators, parents and others are taking to social media to share how School Food Professionals are transforming school food for the better and supporting student success across California. Here’s what they’ve been saying.
Professional Baker Alex Peña
Alex Peña, a professional baker, recently traveled to Fallbrook in San Diego County to train School Food Professionals on whole grain and ancient grain baking techniques. He was inspired to see their dedication to making healthier versions of student favorites like pretzels, conchas and bagels.
Cristina, a mom to school-aged children, has seen how delicious cooking can inspire healthy habits and a curiosity to learn more about food. By being exposed to new foods, Cristina’s child has come home curious to learn more about the foods they’re eating at home and how to help prepare them.
Kayla, an early childhood education specialist and mom in San Diego, knows that a tasty, healthy meal is foundational to students’ ability to focus and learn. In her fifteen years working with School Food Professionals in California public schools, she’s seen how their dedication to their craft has led to huge improvements in school food.
As the author of a cookbook focused on cooking with kids, Bri knows how important it is for them to have a well-rounded meal — and how hard it can be to make one that they’ll actually eat. She’s happy to see School Food Professionals using their culinary skills to make healthy meals that her kids love – like habanero chicken wings!
Aubrey, a mom and former teacher, loves that her kids try new foods in the cafeteria when they see their friends enjoy a new meal. She’s grateful to the School Food Professionals who are cooking up fresher, healthier meals for her kids so that she has one less thing to worry about.
See for yourself what all the buzz is about and join the conversation with #CASchoolFoodPros and #PoweredBySchoolFoodPros on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Welcome to the third edition of California Voices! Chefs, teachers, parents and others are taking to social media to share how School Food Professionals are transforming school food for the better and supporting student success across California. Here’s what they’ve been saying.
Teacher Diego Napoles
Diego Napoles, a fourth grade teacher, knows how hard it is for students to learn when they’re hungry. He’s excited to see how School Food Professionals are cooking up fresher, healthier school food to help students be ready to learn.
Burg loves being a School Food Professional. She’s proud to be able to plan delicious menus and prepare scratch-cooked, nourishing meals using fresh ingredients for her students.
Join us as we set the table for a fresher, healthier school meals that empower kids in the classroom and beyond. Learn more at SchoolFoodPros.org In paid partnership with @schoolfoodpros @Powered By School Food Pros #CASchooIFoodPros#PoweredBySchooIFoodPros
Brandon Skier, a professional chef, knows that cooking for large groups of people is one of the best ways to grow your cooking skills like time management and organization. He’s excited to see School Food Professionals using their skills to improve school food with delicious menu options like pupusas, a newer addition now available to students. Plus, get his recipe for scratch-cooked pupusas with fresh curtido.
While Stacey loves cooking for her kids when she has the time, as a working mom, it’s also important for her to be able to rely on School Food Professionals to cook healthy breakfast and lunch options for her kids. With School Food Professionals cooking up fresher, healthier meals, Stacey gets to have peace of mind and save time.
H Woo Lee used to be insecure about bringing the Japanese food that his mom cooked for him to school. Now, he’s excited to hear that School Food Professionals are cooking up culturally diverse meals to help students feel included and proud of their backgrounds. Plus, get his recipe for Japanese curry rice.
Markell Titov, a professional chef, knows the skill and dedication it takes to provide high-quality meals for hundreds of people. Markell notes that just like professional chefs in the restaurant industry, School Food Professionals must meticulously plan, carefully select ingredients and focus intensely on the preparation of each meal.
As a mom of school-aged children and with a grandmother who worked as a School Food Professional, Desiree Moore understands both the commitment that School Food Professionals have when it comes to improving school food and the impact that it has on kids like her own.
See for yourself what all the buzz is about and join the conversation with #CASchoolFoodPros and #PoweredBySchoolFoodPros on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Welcome to the second edition of California Voices! Parents, teachers, dietitians and others are taking to social media to share how School Food Professionals are transforming school food for the better and supporting students across California. Here’s what they’ve been saying.
Teacher Trayvon Thompson
Trayvon Thompson sees the powerful effects of healthy, nutritious school food on his students firsthand. They have more energy, focus and are overall happier to be in the classroom.
Healthy school lunches have a great impact on the academic performance of students. Let’s work together and make lunches healthier for our students! Check out SchoolFoodPros.org to learn more about how School Food Professionals are changing school meals across California! (link in bio) #sponsored#CASchoolFoodPros#PoweredbySchoolFoodPros#CookingUpChange In Paid Partnership with @Powered By School Food Pros
Jennifer Parra loves being able to rely on School Food Professionals to make healthy and delicious meals like chicken and broccoli for her children. She applauds California’s School Food Professionals working to use fresher ingredients and incorporate more scratch cooking.
Carrie Gabriel remembers how food impacted her mental health as a middle school student, and she’s encouraged to see School Food Professionals prioritize nourishing foods to support California students’ wellness.
Maya Lê, an educator who is passionate about sharing reading resources and stories, loves seeing her students get excited about their school gardens. They’re able to connect with the natural world, learn gardening skills and are proud to see School Food Professionals incorporate the fresh produce they grew into their school meals.
School District Employee and Mother Elizabeth Flores
Elizabeth Flores, a California school district employee, was raised by a School Food Professional. She saw the dedication and skill that went into not only cooking school meals, but also menu planning and preparation. With two school-age children, she’s excited to see the progress toward quality, taste and healthy options that School Food Professionals continue to make across the state.
See for yourself what all the buzz is about and join the conversation with #CASchoolFoodPros and #PoweredBySchoolFoodPros on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Welcome to the first edition of California Voices! Here, we’re featuring how some of social media’s most powerful voices, including parents, teachers, a collegiate student-athlete, a School Food Professional, and even a best-selling cookbook author, are sharing their perspective on how School Food Professionals are transforming school food and supporting students across California.
Our California Voices series will continue to highlight people who are sharing their personal stories and experiences with the contribution and impact made by School Food Professionals.
See the buzz for yourself and join the conversation with #CASchoolFoodPros and #PoweredBySchoolFoodPros on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Best-Selling Cookbook Author and James Beard Award-Winner Joanne Molinaro
Times have changed since Joanne, also known as @thekoreanvegan, was eating school food. Now, School Food Professionals are making kimchi! Joanne shares how incorporating more food from different cultures into school meals helps students feel welcomed and included.
#ad I love how, more and more, school food professionals from all walks of life and backgrounds are cooking fresh, delicious, and diverse meals in California school kitchens. They’re using their skills to prepare and cook more foods that reflect the diverse tastes and smells that students have grown up with. For example. Korean foods are now items on school lunch menus! I think Korean food is actually perfect for school cafeterias. Why? Well, Korean food is all about cooking in bulk and meal prep. That’s why so much of the food is meant to be served cold. I also love how Korean food fits so perfectly inside the cafeteria tray. Banchan or “side dishes” are such an integral part of Korean cuisine and what better way to serve banchan than with that iconic cafeteria tray? That way, you get a little bit of everything! Check out SchoolFoodPros.org (link in bio) to see what school food professionals are doing to cook and serve fresh, healthy, delicious meals in our schools every day! #PoweredBySchoolFoodPros#SchoolFoodPros @Powered By School Food Pros
School Food Professional TJ is part of the movement to improve school food. Through her work, she’s seen firsthand how professionals are incorporating more fresh ingredients and scratch cooking into their school menus.
#ad The future of school meals: Fresher, healthier, and delicious school meals prepared by School Food Professionals. Learn more at SchoolFoodPros.org #PoweredbySchoolFoodPros#BetterSchoolMeals @Powered By School Food Pros
Teacher and self-proclaimed school lunch connoisseur Noelle celebrates how School Food Professionals do more than just cook healthy, delicious meals. They’re also an integral part of the school community, building positive relationships with students.
Haily, a student-athlete at UC Irvine, shouts out the School Food Professionals whose healthy school meals helped her to be ready to compete — on and off the court.
For student-athletes like me, having access to healthy school lunches as a K-12 student was crucial. That’s why I’m so excited to see all the ways that California school food professionals are working towards improving school food ad. Join us as we work toward fresher, healthier school meals that empower kids in the classroom and beyond.Learn more at SchoolFoodPros.org #CASchoolFoodPros#PoweredBySchoolFoodPros
Free school breakfast and lunch has changed the game for Ellie, an author and mother. Beyond making sure her kids have access to healthy meals, School Food Professionals have also helped her 5-year-old with sensory issues expand his palate by introducing recipes like fresh salads, fish po’boys and pupusas.
