Board highlights kitchen staff’s scratch cooking and grant-supported meals

The Grapeview School District board recognized cafeteria staff for their work preparing scratch meals for students, calling out cooks Carol, Annie and Heather for homemade dishes such as pumpkin soup and hamburger stroganoff. Staff member (S2) told the board the team has used grant funds to prioritize scratch cooking and to buy equipment that makes vegetable prep easier.

The board heard details about where recipes come from and how meals are adapted for school service. A staff speaker (S1) said the team has learned recipes from a visiting retired chef and described efforts to hide vegetables in sauces and to develop a sourdough starter for pizza crusts. The presentation noted a Robocoupe dicer/shredder purchased with grant funding and that meat purchases are sourced through a nearby processor that supplies grass-fed products.

Why it matters: District leaders said higher-quality school meals support student health and are part of a broader commitment to farm-to-school and grant-funded programming. Board members thanked the staff for long hours and recognized the connection between nutritious meals and student success.

"They not only love the kids, they love making good food for them," Staff member (S2) told the board, praising the kitchen team's commitment. Board members said they will highlight these efforts when communicating with the community as the district faces levy and funding discussions later this year.

The meeting did not include any formal action tied to the nutrition program; board members used the recognition to discuss outreach and publicity plans to support future funding initiatives.