Press release courtesy of Sullivan180
[LIBERTY, NY] – School Food Service Professionals from throughout Sullivan County gathered at SUNY Sullivan in August for a full day conference where they participated in a series of workshops to promote scratch cooking and programming around farm to school efforts. The conference was presented by the School Nutrition Action Coalition, a network of organizations and Sullivan County schools working together to bring 2 free, healthy, plant slant meals for every student, every day in Sullivan County schools.
Food service staff engaged in discussions and hands on learning exploring how by cooking from scratch (with whole, fresh ingredients), can provide delicious, nutritious meals for students. Conference workshops were led by Chef Michael Benedetto and Chef Foteini Hnadrinos of SUNY and Katie Sheehan Lopez of Harvest New York. They included Cutting Edge Chop, Slice and Dice like a Pro. In this knife skills session participants refined essential techniques, safely used kitchen tools, and prepared fresh, farm-forward menu items. Back to Scratch: Stirring up Something Real. In this workshop participant explored the classic Mother Sauces, and were guided through preparation, production, and practical uses in everyday menus. They learned to “build flavor from the ground up” and bring scratch-made quality to every dish. Jump on Board: Promoting your Farm to School Program In this interactive session they discussed strategies for promoting farm to school programs to the school community; and explored achievable and realistic ideas that will work in the cafeteria.
“For some students, school meals are the healthiest meals they will have all day, because of school activities; for some all week due to family schedules; and for some overall because of food insecurity,” said Denise Frangipane of Sullivan 180 and the SNAC Committee. Further explaining and emphasizing the importance of the work of food service staff. “Today we want to thank you for this important work.”
Attendees took a tour of Hope Farm at SUNY Sullivan to see firsthand the origin of some of the fresh foods they had prepared together. They then enjoyed lunch together prepared by A Single Bite who share the interactive Real Food Taste Testing they are doing in Sullivan County Schools. Lunch was sponsored by Key Bank with most of the ingredients being sourced from Somewhere in Time Farm, Parksville, Hope Farm at SUNY Sullivan and other regional producers.
Many shared what they love about working in school food service:
“What I love the most about working at the school (especially in the elementary school) is giving children education on their food and where the ingredients come from. So many kids don’t know much about farming and gardening. I love having a few minutes to talk to them about the food we are serving them each day,” Kayla from Monticello Central School District.
“I love interacting with the kids and being able to put a little smile in their day,” Oliva from Fallsburg School District. “I love working in the school food service setting because I can make difference in how at least some of the students view food. Making healthy nutritious food is my goal,” Karen from Rockland Central School District
“We were honored to host this year’s conference of Sullivan County’s dedicated food service professionals at SUNY Sullivan,” said Justine Hoskin Director of Catskill Hospitality Institute at SUNY Sullivan. “Partnering with incredible local farms and motivated organizations made the day truly special, as we celebrated and enriched the men and women who nourish our k-12 students every day. The energy, collaboration, and commitment to healthier school meals was inspiring to be part of.”
The School Nutrition Action Coalition includes leadership from: A Single; CCE Sullivan; Harvest New York; Sullivan BOCES; Sullivan 180; Sullivan County Youth Bureau; SUNY Sullivan; The Center for Discovery, Fallsburg, Liberty, Livingston Manor, Monticello Roscoe and Sullivan West School Districts.