Now that the school year is in full swing, many chefs are also moving into our nation’ schools. 

It's part of the Chefs Move to School initiative, designed to educate children about food and demonstrate ways healthy eating can be easy and fun.  One dedicated professional, Chef Kelly Waldron, engages youth in healthy school meals by helping school nutrition professionals hone their culinary skills. 

In partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture, Chef Kelly coordinates and instructs a summer culinary boot camp for school nutrition professionals in 16 central Texas counties.  Participants prepare new recipes for their school nutrition operation while practicing knife skills, incorporating herbs to reduce sodium, and refining their culinary techniques.

Chef Kelly also ensures that school recipes are kid-tested and approved. In an ongoing partnership with the Florence Independent School District, in rural Texas, she develops recipes and conducts taste-testing with students.  Elementary students care for a school garden through a junior master gardeners program, which Chef Kelly visits to provide nutrition and culinary education.  She has harvested the fruits and vegetables with students and even conducted a cooking demonstration and taste tests using fresh kohlrabi!

Chef Kelly created the kid-approved recipe for Asian Tacos in Florence Independent School District (Texas), filled with a variety of colorful vegetables!

To continue to support Chef Kelly and chefs across America, the Chefs Move to Schools National Advisory Committee remains committed to providing guidance for a sustainable Chefs Move to Schools program.  Comprised of chefs, school nutrition directors, foodservice industry professionals, and allied partners, the committee meets bi-annually to generate ideas and strategies to encourage and support chefs who are interested in volunteering at schools. 

For more information about upcoming webinars, visit www.chefsmovetoschools.org

Upcoming Chefs Move to Schools Webinars

Nov. 3, 2015 - Meal Pattern

In order for chefs to successfully assist school nutrition professionals with tasks such as new recipe development or menu planning, they must be knowledgeable of the meal requirements schools must meet.  During this webinar, the facilitator will discuss each meal component and the use of USDA Foods in school nutrition programs.

Nov. 10, 2015 - HealthierUS School Challenge

The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) was established to recognize schools that are creating healthier school environments through the promotion of good nutrition and physical activity.  During this webinar, the facilitator will explain the HUSSC and how chefs can get involved.

For more information about Chefs Move to Schools or to register for the webinars, visit www.chefsmovetoschools.org.