Vocational culinary students supply plant-based meals through Asbury Park partnership

Principal Jamie Soto of the Monmouth County Vocational School District's Culinary Education Center told the council the program prepares plant-based meals for Asbury Park High School students and operates a public bake shop and lunch service that gives students hands-on experience.

Soto said the center initially tested familiar dishes rendered plant-based — "we started with basic spaghetti and meatballs" — and expanded to burritos, Indian dishes and vegan desserts, which received positive feedback from students. He said roughly 70–80 high-school students and about 90 college students participate across the programs, and that the bake shop is open Monday–Friday from about 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with lunch service Tuesday through Friday.

Recreation Director Alicia Floyd introduced the item as four returning special-event applications and noted that the culinary partnership supports local food-access initiatives in collaboration with the Asbury Park Promise Community. Soto said students walk meals across to local sites and take pride in delivering them, and the vocational program provides college credits in partnership with Brookdale Community College.

Soto said the culinary program is seeking fundraising support and is up for a food-justice award from the Paul Newman Foundation; he invited community members to support the program through the mayor's office. Council members applauded the presentation and encouraged public awareness of the program's hours and services.

What happens next: The council acknowledged the program; the presentation was informational and no vote was required that evening.