Training Days Are Here Again!
Transcription
Training Days Are Here Again!
Nutrition ink Volume 18 Number 1 Winter 2011 Training Days Are Here Again! Training has always been an important part of The Nutrition Group’s culture, and this past year we have taken our sessions to a new level. In prior years, our food service managers gathered in the summer to attend training sessions and discuss new ideas and updates to USDA and Department of Education regulations. This year’s goal was to provide even more hands-on training to more of our employees, and to create a greater awareness of our ideas and objectives. The result generated more enthusiasm and positive feedback than we ever anticipated! The first in the series of training events was designed for food service directors. Meetings were held regionally, which meant smaller groups of instruction and more individualized attention. Indepth discussions of successful strategies were conducted on subject matters such as paperwork updates, production records, food safety logs, and new government regulations. Each subject was carefully reviewed in order to assist managers to learn more efficient, stream-lined methods while still maintaining the high level of accuracy and accountability we promise our clients. Fresh concepts in new food products, recipes, catering and special events, and nutrition education were presented and were met with a great deal of enthusiasm. The next level of training was devoted to kitchen managers who enjoyed interactive sessions reviewing a myriad of food service related procedures. Meetings were facilitated by members of our management team and included topics of discussion detailed on page 3. www.thenutritiongroup.biz From the desk of : JERRY MOORE ions provided for Food Service Our feature article discusses the training sess August. I attended these sessions and Directors and hourly staff that were held in tent of the subject presented, but also was quite impressed not only with the con addition to the yearly summer training, with the enthusiasm of the participants. In ions throughout the school year that we continue to offer additional training sess to the operations of our accounts. have proven to be tremendously beneficial taking place in school food service. Looking forward, quite a few changes are ber of ways. One 0 will impact food service operations in a num The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 201 es to equal the pric h is the requirement to increase the paid lunc ing the free/ main challenge that districts will be facing lunch prices. Other changes include simplify paid the and nt eme burs reim free the of es for average breakfast programs, changing the guidelin and exp to ts gran g idin prov ess, proc tion reduced applica Meal Plan. bursements for compliance with the Final meal pricing and providing additional reim , and will also to go into effect in the 2012/2013 school year set is ed, pass if , Plan l Mea l Fina osed offered The prop ges that will occur include: 50% of grains chan of ples exam few a Just ges. chan y itional bring about man free flavored milk will be offered, and add fat or milk free fat or te whi 1% only at, must be whole whe Final Meal Plan, as important to note that it is still the proposed fruits and vegetables must be offered. It is comments are still being accepted. Healthy, Hungerchallenges will always be encountered. The As with any changes that take place, certain for school es leng l Plan have created some tremendous chal we will be Free Kids Act and the proposed Final Mea e Nutrition Group offers you our assuranc that The But ted. limi be can s urce reso re whe districts ready when the rules go into effect. Introducing Our New Identity! The Nutrition Group is proud to announce and display our new logos to help you see us a little more clearly for who we are and what we truly represent. Our age old tree of life has recently sprouted new leaves and bears the fruits of a delicious representation of growth and change, not only for us as a company, but for you as a consumer of our services. Updating our image and publications will show more clearly how we can make a difference in your efforts to provide to your consumers what we provide to you...the absolute best in food and facility management. At The Nutrition Group, we are proud to be The company that does what we say we will do. We take this opportunity in the next decade to do just that, visually speaking. 2 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Training Days continued from page 1 Cooking Tips This session provides insight on all of the name brand foods offered, USDA Commodities and easy recipe ideas. Samples of new menu items are tasted and critiqued, as well as a lesson in preparation. Batch cooking, proper handling, proper temperature and sound methods for maintaining the quality of Wellness and Healthy Eating The importance of healthy eating and wellness is reinforced. The latest government regulations and their impact are discussed as they relate to school food programs. Safety and Sanitation Food service rules and regulations, and safety procedures are reviewed food throughout the serving and emphasized. periods is also discussed. Personal Wellness Human Quality Assurance Resources Director Charlie Gahagen hosted a special Personal Fundamental food service Wellness session that provided new insight on resolving practices, calibrating conflict and reducing stress in the workplace. His unique thermometers and proper application for the various pieces of kitchen equipment are reinforced. Accountability The importance of maintaining ability to find ways to create win-win situations made this presentation particularly popular with all who attended. We wish to extend a thank you accurate production records to the vendors and brokers that to aid in food preparation we partnered with who played and to ensure compliance and an active role in our training accountability as they relate sessions. Not only did they to government regulations is provide a great deal of food discussed. samples for cooking exhibitions, displays and meals, they graciously provided a multitude of gift give-away items that Marketing and Merchandising Food displays and PowerPoint presentations are used to exhibit the importance of offering eye appealing food, since students will typically make their selections based on what they see. Loss Prevention This session includes tips on portion control and food cost controls, including tips to help keep costs within budget and avoid common pitfalls. Customer Service Food Service Directors and participants were pleased to receive. Throughout our journey this school year, we continue to receive positive feedback on the training sessions presented. We have found that cafeteria staff members are eager to exhibit the many different ways they are able to implement what they have learned in order to enhance their food service operation cafeteria staff members review the importance of and provide customers with treating all students and staff with respect. the Absolute Best! Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 3 Food Service Management Welcome New Accounts! Bradford Area School District Bradford, PA McKean County Enrollment: 2,667 students, 4 buildings Management & Supervision Team: L Dana Mollander, Food Service Director L Kathleen Shaw, Regional Manager MaST Charter School Philadelphia, PA Montgomery County Enrollment: 1,200 students, 1 building Management & Supervision Team: L George Stock, Manager L Fletcher Vollmer, Regional Manager Central Dauphin Christ the Divine Catholic Academy School District Harrisburg, PA Dauphin County Enrollment: 19,753 students, 19 buildings Management & Supervision Team: L Kathy Bednarik, Food Service Director L Daneyon White, Chef L Sharon Gelsinger, Asst. Food Service Director L Doug DeIvernois, Regional Manager Pittsburgh, PA Allegheny County Enrollment: 164 students, 1 building Management & Supervision Team: L Jennifer Pearson, Food Service Director L Janet Connors, Regional Manager Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia County Enrollment: 1,020 students, 1 building Management & Supervision Team: L Michele Topor, Food Service Director L Fletcher Vollmer, Regional Manager Newport School District Newport, PA Perry County Enrollment: 1,142 students, 2 buildings Management & Supervision Team: L Betsy Oswald, Food Service Director L Mary Filler, Regional Manager 4 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Primary School Lunch Learners Kindergarten students at the Chartiers Valley Primary School learn new things in the cafeteria too! During Lunch Learners Week at the beginning of the school year, students are instructed on how to proceed through the serving lines. They also learn all about choosing a balanced lunch through The Nutrition Group’s fun and interactive iNutrition program. Submitted by Sue Kalafatis Aquinas Academy Franklin Towne Charter High School Chartiers Valley School District Greensburg, PA Westmoreland County Enrollment: 400 students, 1 building Management & Supervision Team: L Jackie Samek, Kitchen Manager L Troy Golden, Regional Manager Shamokin Area School District Coal Township, PA Northumberland County Enrollment: 2,610 students, 2 buildings Management & Supervision Team: L Peggy Bednarchik, Food Service Director L Doug DeIvernois, Regional Manager Sto-Rox School District Ice Cream Social “I doubt whether the world holds for anyone a more soul-stirring surprise than the first adventure with ice cream.” ~Heywood C. Broun, American Writer The annual Kindergarten Ice Cream Social was held at the Sto-Rox School District and was a scrumptious success. Chocolate syrup, caramel drizzle, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips, cookie crumbles, cherry syrup, strawberries, and whipped cream were the tasty topper options. Two hundred and eighty-eight bowls of ice cream were served to students and their guests and the topping combinations were endless! Submitted by Elaine Podlogar Toronto City Schools SpongeBob Squarepants Day West Geauga Local School District Buffet Lunch To celebrate the end of another school year, teachers and staff in the West Geauga Local Schools were treated to a special buffet lunch provided by The Nutrition Group and the West The Krusty Krab isn’t the only restaurant serving Krabby Patties! Students at the J. T. Karaffa Middle School in Toronto, Ohio celebrated National School Lunch week with SpongeBob Squarepants. Students were treated to some of Bikini Bottom’s best entrées including Krabby Patties (chicken patties), baked pineapple, and birthday cake ice cream just to name a few. Lucky tray day was also in place and winners were awarded SpongeBob themed fruit snacks, pencils, and bracelets. Submitted by Ruth Stansbury Geauga Cafeteria Staff. The menu included a variety of pizzas, barbecue ribs, wings, kielbasa and tossed salad along with beverages and an ice cream sundae bar. We appreciate all that the faculty and staff do for the students! Submitted by Gary Bland Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 5 Introducing Basil and “The Scoop” The Nutrition Group is pleased to present to you Basil, Chef of Nutrition. Our goal is to provide parents and elementary school students with an additional resource for valuable nutritional information and tips for a healthier lifestyle. Every other month “The Scoop” will be distributed in elementary schools for students to take home to share and discuss with their parents. Each edition of “The Scoop” will also be posted on our website at www.thenutritiongroup.biz/for-parents-and-students.shtml 6 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Central Greene School District Summer Food Service The Nutrition Group had the pleasure of operating a food service program during the past summer for the Central Greene School District. This was the first year for the USDA program which served an average of 300 complimentary meals each day. Kim Haskakis, the Food Service Director for Central Greene, worked with community leaders, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the public library to organize seven local sites. Each site provided hot nutritious lunches to the children Monday through Friday. The meals ranged from hamburger and chicken patty sandwiches to pizza pockets. In addition, fresh fruit and vegetables and cold milk were served daily at each site. Six of the sites offered activities for the children as well as swimming and skating! The response from the community was overwhelming. The district received e-mails of gratitude for the program, and we look forward to its continuing success next year! Submitted by Kim Haskakis Lisbon Exempted Village Schools Team Nutrition Grant Congratulations to Lisbon Exempted Village Schools, recipients of a Team Nutrition grant, made possible thanks to the extra work and time devoted by a group of volunteers in the district. In May, the group decided to offer a Parent Academy to all residents of Lisbon. During the event, teachers offered fun and educational stations to teach children the importance of nutrition and exercise. The Nutrition Group’s Michelle Marker, along with several other speakers, offered useful information to adults to help their children make the right food choices and to focus on the importance of exercise. Food Service Director Lora Irwin set up a beautiful display to show the different foods from the Food Pyramid, and all in attendance enjoyed taste testing to top off the evening’s events. Submitted by Lora Irwin Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 7 Blackhawk School District Preventing Bullying Throughout the months of August and September, Blackhawk introduced a system by Olweus for training both teachers and students in techniques for detecting and stopping bullying at our schools. Teachers and staff, including cafeteria staff, were given six hours of classroom instruction and role playing to help staff identify warning signs and to respond before situations get out of hand. Students and parents were introduced to the system via kick off sessions held at various schools. Primary students and parents attended an evening carnival. Highland Middle School students and parents attended an outdoor picnic, while High School students were treated to a picnic lunch with kick ball activities along with their training. Continuing education for staff will be ongoing during the 2010-2011 school year through the use of two hour delay schedules. Submitted by Sue Lukacs Chili Cook Off Forbes Outstanding Achievement Hats off Blackhawk High School teachers hosted a Chili Cook-off in late October. Our own cafeteria ladies served as judges and tasted 10 varieties of tasty homemade chili. It was great fun on a cool Fall day! to Matt Sherwin, Food Service Director of the Forbes Regional Vocational Technical School, on attaining his Masters Degree! Matt completed the Accelerated Masters of Business Administration Degree (MBA) program at Point Park University in Pittsburgh and graduated at the top of his class with a 3.96 grade point average! He finished courses in accounting, finance, marketing, advertising, and economics along with many others that aid in business operation. The Nutrition Group proudly supports continuing education and offers sincere congratulations to Matt on his outstanding achievement! 8 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Bradford Area School District Cafeteria Staff Opening Meetings Opening meetings with the Bradford Area School District cafeteria staff were held in late August. The Nutrition Group took this opportunity to become better acquainted with the staff and review important topics before the start of the school year. Kathleen Shaw, Regional Manager, Dan Bazylak, Vice President, Cindy Thomas, Risk Manager, and Charlie Gahagen, Director of Human Resources also took part in the presentations. Special thanks to Pete Benvenutti of KB Pizza who came to do a cooking presentation. Submitted by Dana Mollander Bethlehem Center School District Rocks Wellness Days Middle School Principal Amanda Kinneer organized “Rocks Wellness Days” in October to promote exercise and healthy habits. The cafeteria, gym and other areas of the Athens Area School District Recipe Contest Winner Congratulations to Athens Food Service Director Ali Bennett and her staff who took third place in the Kikkoman School Foodservice Recipe contest with their tasty and innovative Jamaican Pork creation. The contest was advertised as follows by Kikkoman: “We’re challenging K-12 Foodservice professionals to use flavorful, versatile lower-sodium Kikkoman sauces in innovative, surprising, on-trend menu concepts that will keep your students coming back for more.” Recipes were judged on originality, kid-friendliness, taste, appearance and ease of use to name a few. building were transformed into rock n’ roll dance areas where students danced their way to healthy exercise! The cafeteria staff didn’t miss a beat in helping to promote the event. Our ladies went all out by dressing up as the rock band Kiss. The students loved it and had a blast in the cafeteria. Great job everyone! Submitted by Ed Pawlikowski The Jamaican Pork recipe was also a winner in The Nutrition Group’s eastern regional recipe contest, and is now a winner at the national level! The credit for this innovative and delicious recipe goes to all the Food Service staff at Athens, since successful recipe standardization requires a team effort! Submitted by Ali Bennett Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 9 Alligators and Boas and Skinks, Oh My! The Nutrition Group has partnered with The Pittsburgh Zoo and Reinhart Foodservice to bring a fun and educational program to area elementary schools. Trainers from the Pittsburgh Zoo visited local schools with live animals and a fundamental message about the importance of good nutrition. Along with habitat and diet, zoo staff also identified the animals’ unique features and characteristics. Snap the Alligator, Goober the Skink and Squeeze the Boa Constrictor were the featured guests for the program. Students had an opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals and also to ask questions. Michelle Marker, from The Nutrition Group was present to explain that the animals at the zoo are on special diets for proper development and good nutrition. She also discussed the significance of good nutrition for our human bodies to be sure that we, like the animals, are nourished and healthy. Many students and staff wore their favorite animal shirts for these special events and a zoo themed lunch was served in the cafeteria. This program was extremely popular among students and took place at elementary schools in the Bellwood Antis, Laurel and Wilkinsburg School Districts. Elementary schools in the Ringgold, Sto-Rox, Washington, and Yough districts are scheduled to host the zoo program in the near future. In addition, the Erie Zoo is partnering with Reinhart Foodservice to present a similar program in the northern part of the state. Elementary schools in the Conneaut and Iroquois districts are anticipating a scheduled visit. The Nutrition Group thanks Reinhart Foodservice, The Pittsburgh Zoo and The Erie Zoo for their contributions to this program. 10 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Hazleton Area School District Dog Days of Summer The “Dog Days of Summer” celebration was held at the Hazleton Area School District to help students say ‘farewell!’ to summer and ‘hello!’ to a new year. The serving lines and condiment stations were adorned with puppy table cloths, dog bowls, plush puppies and pictures. Puppy biscuits were made out of tortilla shells and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and all of the elementary school staff wore puppy T-shirts or dressed as puppies! Menus items included: Corn Dog Nuggets, Pupperoni Beefaroni, Hot Dogs and Doggie Italian Dunkers. Submitted by Barb Farley Shaler Area School District Rainbow of Colors Jeffery Primary School students in the Shaler Area School District sampled a “rainbow of colors” as fresh fruits and vegetables were presented for them to try. Submitted by Joel Madison and Jennifer Pearson Aquinas Academy Catholic Schools Week Students at Aquinas Academy enjoyed plenty of festivities during Catholic Schools Week, including nutrition education presented by Michelle Marker and Bill Ludwig, and some tasty yogurt parfait treats during lunch. Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 11 Crawford Central School District Sundae Bar Students enjoyed a special year-end treat when sundae bars were arranged at the Cochranton Jr. and Sr. High Schools. Each student who purchased a school lunch received one bowl of vanilla ice cream to top as they pleased. Students chose from hot fudge, caramel, strawberry slices, walnuts, sprinkles, chocolate chips and whipped cream. Submitted by Jenna Bohlender Salem City High School Hosts Destination ImagiNation Qualifiers Yough School District Congratulations to Betty McNaney and Millie Blanish of the Yough School District for 25 years of service with The Nutrition Group! Staff members at the district and members of The Nutrition Group’s management team were present to help celebrate and each of the ladies was awarded a personalized commemorative plaque. We are so proud and recognize that our employees make a difference each and every day through their dedication and hard work. Destination ImagiNation, Inc. is an extraordinary non-profit organization that provides educational programs for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. Destination ImagiNation, its core program, is an educational program in which student teams solve open-ended challenges and present their solutions at tournaments. Teams are tested to think on their feet, work together and devise original solutions that satisfy the requirements of the challenges. This year, the Destination ImagiNation qualifiers were held at the Salem City High School and the district welcomed nearly 700 guests, including students, parents and judges. Under the direction of teacher Kelly Janofa, Food Service Director J.R. Straley and his staff provided delicious menu options and snacks for participants and spectators alike. The “food court” style format offered something for everyone and included grilled-to-order hamburgers and hot dogs, homemade soups, snacks and beverages. Submitted by J.R. Straley 12 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Allegheny Intermediate Unit Sunrise School During our most recent Allegheny County Health Inspection at AIU3 Sunrise School, we surpassed the standards. Allegheny County is known for having very strict sanitation and food preparation practices, sometimes even more stringent than state and federal regulations. HACCP, or Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, is a mandated food safety program for school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program. From the time the food enters the loading dock, great care is taken (with regard to temperature, cooking, storing, etc.) until food reaches the final customer, the student. To obtain just one diamond is considered a true success, but we received seven! This is just one way that you can see The Nutrition Group’s dedication to success. Many thanks to the staff at Sunrise School, including the custodial and maintenance staff for helping to keep our kitchen so clean. We really appreciate the teamwork that occurs on a daily basis. Here’s to more stars next time! Submitted by Matt Sherwin Corry School District Go For The Greens Go for the Greens is an event organized by Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA) that is celebrated annually in March. Go for the Greens is a statewide celebration that focuses on the important role of vegetables as part of a healthy diet. On St. Patrick’s Day, the Go for the Greens program was presented at the Middle/High School during lunch. A table was set up in the cafeteria where we offered a variety of delicious and healthy green foods that included fresh spinach, broccoli, celery sticks, green peppers, green olives, cucumbers, green grapes and kiwi! Students and staff were encouraged to fill an 8-ounce bowl, free of charge, with fruits and vegetables they had never tried before. Melissa Kingen, Regional Manager and Shelly Powell, Food Service Director were there to serve, replenish and answer any questions the students may have had. The students really enjoyed the event and were very respectful and appreciative. We were so proud of them for trying new things and so pleased that they enjoyed many of the foods they tried. Submitted by Shelly Powell Cornell School District Teacher Scavenger Hunt The teachers of the Cornell School District were welcomed back to school in August and wasted no time putting their problem solving skills to work! Their first challenge was a scavenger hunt that lead them through the borough of Coraopolis and landed them in the center of town for lunch. The teachers were then joined by staff members, board members, local policemen, borough officials, students and their parents. It was a wonderful way for members of the community to come together and welcome the start of another school year. Submitted by Lynda Gorring Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 13 Grazes Local Districts Students at the Everett Area School District were visited by the newest member of our team, Molly the Cow. Molly is on tour in many of the districts that are operated by The Nutrition Group. Molly brings fun and excitement along with her ‘mooving’ message of getting 3 or more servings of dairy each day. She spoke to students about the importance of eating healthy foods from all five food groups and striving for 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Students are very eager and accepting of these types of lessons, especially when the teacher is a fun character. Director of Programs, Michelle Marker, presented examples of good food choices and also encouraged students to spin the Giant Wheel of Nutrition. Chestnut Ridge School District Grandparents Day Elementary students were delighted to invite their grandparents as special guests in October. Grandparents observed many classroom activities and even participated in some. Students and grandparent enjoyed breakfast together in the cafeteria while Regional Manager Troy Golden and Food Service Director Jen Waite were on hand to offer assistance. Michelle Marker, Director of Programs for The Nutrition Group, spoke about healthy eating and the importance of encouraging young children to try new foods. A special appearance by Molly the Cow punctuated Michelle’s message about the value of a diet enriched with calcium. Molly awarded students with coloring pages and pencils and visited with the students and their grandparents. 14 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Nutrition Education Day at Leechburg Elementary For the second year in a row, students at the Leechburg Elementary School celebrated an entire day of nutrition when Michelle Marker visited the district and presented fun Nutrition Education classes. The events took place at the request of principal Dr. Cynthia Portman and included students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. During the sessions, Michelle used fun, age appropriate games and demonstrations to reinforce the lessons. Older children learned about healthy eating by spinning a giant game show wheel while younger students listened to a story with fun colorful props. Fourth grade teacher, Margie Delvecchio, had the following to say about the presentations, “The game board really kept them interested and the conversations they were having among themselves were on topic. They were still talking about it when we got back to the room! Very enjoyable and informative.” Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 15 Montour Area School District Breakfast Program “Never work before breakfast; if you have to work before breakfast, eat your breakfast first.” ~ Josh Billings, American Humorist This October marked the start of a new breakfast program at the Burkett Elementary School in the Montour Area School District. Students were offered a variety of food choices including breakfast pizza, breakfast Hot Pockets, a variety of cereals, muffins, juice and milk. During the first week, participation climbed steadily and by Friday had nearly doubled! Submitted by Doug Henderson Franklin Area School District Halloween Menu Halloween at the Franklin Area School District is always a spooky spectacular and this year was no different! The staff wore crazy costumes and served up kooky dishes. Eyeball pizza, anyone? Mountain View School District September Celebrations “Fuel Up to Play 60” is a national program sponsored by the NFL that emphasizes the importance of good nutrition and 60 minutes of exercise each day. Numerous studies have been conducted proving that students who are physically active and consume a well balanced diet are generally better students. This year, students at the Mountain View School District kicked off the school year with a fun sports themed event while learning what “Fuel Up to Play 60” is all about. “Back to Football Friday” was a winning play that incorporated sports décor and patriotic giveaways to commemorate September 11th. A giant Italian sub was served as students eagerly checked to see if they were lucky tray winners. Students who found a star on the bottom of their tray won a patriotic prize. Submitted by Heather Fedoryk 16 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Weatherly Area School District Meet the Teacher Night Francine Holley, Food Service Director at the Weatherly Area School District, recently hosted a “Meet the Teacher Night”. This was a great opportunity for parents and staff to learn how good nutrition is promoted in the cafeteria and how “you ‘toucan’ be healthy!” Though Andy has already left for college, the rest of the Toy Story characters showed up in the cafeterias of the Weatherly Area School District! Serving lines were decorated with those lovable characters and color-coded sample trays helped new students choose a complete lunch. Prizes were given to students who decorated cut-out Toy Story aliens and also to those who purchased a complete lunch. Brockway School District Poppin’ With Fun! For more than 25 years, October has been celebrated as National Popcorn Poppin’ Month. In 1999, then Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman made it official. The Nutrition Group celebrated National Popcorn Month on October 29 by handing out individual bags of freshly popped popcorn to all students of the Brockway Elementary School. Fun facts and nutritional information were Submitted by Francine Holley posted throughout the cafeteria to promote the idea of choosing healthier items, such as popcorn, as their first choice of snack. Submitted by Dan Pinchock FUN FACT A Popcorn kernel can pop up to 3 feet in the air! Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 17 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant President Harry Truman signed the National School Lunch Act in 1946 with the purpose of providing nutritionally balanced lunches to children each school day. Since then, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has administered programs to support this cause while encouraging healthy living. Three to five servings of fruits and vegetables each day are recommended as part of a balanced diet. The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provides funds for elementary schools to supply free servings of fresh fruits and fresh vegetables throughout the day to students. Schools that wish to participate in this program must be approved for a grant and operate in compliance with the program guidelines. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to try fruits and vegetables that may be unfamiliar to them. There are some guidelines as to how the fruits and vegetables may be offered but the overall purpose is to encourage healthy eating that will hopefully last a lifetime. These snacks cannot interfere with the National School Lunch Program and are offered in addition, not instead of, the fruits and vegetables already on the menu. Three times each week, fruit samples are brought to the classrooms where students are encouraged to sample them. Many of these foods may be unfamiliar to the students but in addition to offering samples, students learn the benefits of each type, and receive supplementary handouts and worksheets that provide further education. Students are never forced to eat anything but are always encouraged to try something new and “Strive for 5!” This year the grant was awarded to the following districts: Aliquippa, Carbondale, Central Dauphin, Duquesne, East Allegheny, Everett, Greater Johnstown, Hazelton, Iroquois, Lebanon, Monessen, Mount Caramel, New Kensington, Panther Valley, Penn Hills, Ringgold, Shamokin, Southeastern Greene, Sto Rox, and Wilkes Barre. Monessen Area School District Food Art This year, students at the Monessen Area Elementary School learned that the holidays can be healthy. Michelle Marker, Director of Programs for The Nutrition Group, paired with Food Service Director Brenda Wineland to present a fun, interactive program that emphasized the importance of healthy snacking even during the holidays. Students learned that foods, snacks and beverages are broken down into categories and fall into one of five food groups and a healthy balance is the key to good nutrition. Michelle shared that not all snacks are bad for you. They can be healthy too! After a short lesson in nutrition, Michelle passed out recipe books that contained the recipes for several simple, holiday snacks. The students then had an opportunity to create their own edible Christmas trees using snap peas and American cheese. 18 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Bethlehem Center School District Homecoming Festivities The city of Fredericktown was buzzing with excitement as the town closed down to celebrate the homecoming of the Beth Center Bulldogs. The highly anticipated football game was preceded by the annual Homecoming parade and the entire town came out to cheer on the team. This year, for the first time, the cafeteria staff participated by riding the float they designed! The ladies and some of their family members handed out treats and ice cream coupons to eager children. Submitted by Ed Pawlikowski Columbiana Exempted Village Dog Days of Summer The hottest, most humid six weeks of the year, beginning in July and continuing through September, are often referred to as the “dog days of summer”. To celebrate, students at the Joshua Dixon Elementary School in the Columbiana Exempted Village School District were treated to hot dogs and French fries and cooled down with frozen Minute Maid juice bars. The students made dog ears during art class and wore them throughout the day. It was a sweltering 90 degrees but it was a “dog-gone” good day! Submitted by Lisa Banner Cardinal School District Picnic Style Lunch Students at Jordak Elementary and Cardinal Intermediate School in the Cardinal Local School District in Ohio enjoyed a picnic style lunch provided by the P.T.O. and The Nutrition Group. Pictured above is Alanna Hruska, Principal at Jordak Elementary, and Head Custodian Ray Smith as they grill hamburgers and hotdogs for the students. The students also enjoyed baked beans, fruit, milk and a frozen treat! Submitted by Gary Bland Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 19 Greensburg Salem School District Football and Band Camp Football and Band Camp is always a fun time in the cafeteria for the employees. We like to provide football players and band members with meals they like and will enjoy. A few of the students requested the school make gourmet pizzas; what they did not know was that they would also have a pizza serving the pizza! Coaches, students and cafeteria staff all enjoyed the fun! Submitted by Pam Fink New Brighton School District Save a Cow Here a Moo, there a Moo, everywhere a Moo Moo… In celebration of New Brighton Cafeteria’s Save a Cow Day, there were milk mustaches (and few orange sherbet ones too!) throughout the elementary cafeteria in October. Prompted by “Missy the Cow” offering free ice cream coupons for the best mustaches, students “chugged” right in to join the fun. The cafeteria was decorated in a cow theme and menus featured chicken entrees, waffle fries, and sherbet. Cow signs on display informed the students of the benefits of dairy products. High school and middle school students enjoyed ice cream giveaways and elementary school students eagerly volunteered to don the cow costume next year. Submitted by Missy Adams Southern Local School District YAC Meetings Youth Advisory Committees are comprised of student volunteers who meet periodically to share opinions and insight about cafeteria options. Southern Local students have met and expressed their love of nachos, General Tso’s Chicken, tacos and popcorn chicken. They also shared how much they appreciate the pizza days and would like to have ice cream periodically. The people have spoken and we are all ears! Submitted by Kathy Fulk 20 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Monessen Area School District Health fair The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil Indian Creek Local Tailgate Party A Tailgate Party was the highlight of fun in the cafeteria in September for students at Indian Creek Junior High School. The cafeteria staff provided a theme menu of nachos and cheese, hotdogs, freshly made hoagies, chicken fingers, spicy chicken fingers, and baked curly fries for the special occasion. Students were greeted in the cafeteria with music by the Ohio State Marching Band, as well as the Indian Creek High School Marching Band. A special thanks goes out to Assistant Band Director/Junior High Band Director Mr. Howe, for providing the music. Lucky tray giveaways were donated by the Indian Creek Boosters, and students were delighted to win great prizes like t-shirts, sweat shirts, shorts, book bags, pom-poms, decals, clappers and cups. Middle and High School Students from Monessen Area School District learned many important lessons at a health fair designed just for them! Representatives from Monongahela Valley Hospital hosted tables and educated students on topics like the risks of smoking and the benefits of physical exercise. Food Service Director Brenda Wineland and Program Director Michelle Marker, accompanied by John Heinrich from Schneider’s Dairy, spoke to students about the importance of wise food choices and healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Students eagerly accepted nutritional handouts, pencils, and especially the fruit and yogurt parfait treats offered. Submitted by Doug Gosney Titusville Area School District Celebrates Sports Day No matter which team you cheer for, you can always find a winner at the Titusville Area School District! Students at the Elementary school celebrated Sports Day and wore their favorite team shirts. The lunch lines were adorned with sports themed décor and Lucky Tray winners chose from rewards like sports bracelets, inflatable balls and many other fun prizes. Even the lunch menu was sports themed with stadium chicken strips, Ball Park hot dogs, French fries, and fresh watermelon. Students who correctly answered sports trivia questions won a prize. Submitted by Cheryl Brown Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 21 Central Greene School District Facilities Maintenance Systems Miscellaneous Facilities Projects Maintenance Systems Facilities Maintenance Systems The district identified the need for an additional computer lab for the middle school students. A contractor was hired to divide a large classroom into two areas, creating space for the new computer lab. District maintenance personnel built the computer tables, and the lab is currently up and running to the delight of the students and staff. Facilities Facilities Facilities Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance A science classroom in the middle school lacked the Systems Systems Systems amenities to make it a functional science lab. The district successfully received a grant that provided funds for cabinets Recessed wells in the main entrances that once held Pedigrid and sinks. Maintenance matting were filled with concrete. The school’s maintenance personnel installed new personnel installed carpet tiles. As the tiles wear out in the traffic floor tile and the cabinets areas, they will be removed and new ones installed, thus reducing and the new lab enhances replacement costs. This project greatly enhanced these first the science curriculum. impression areas of the building. The FMS Manager John Blizman and his maintenance crew Steel Center Vocational Technical School Summer Projects Nutrition Group Facilities Maintenance Systems undertook the project of replacing ceiling tiles that were nearly 30 years old in the upper corridor. Once the old tiles were removed, new ones were installed creating a brighter, more appealing appearance. Washington Area School District New Food Court Construction Space and equipment limitations at Washington High School have required some adjustments to the food service operation due to ongoing construction of a brand new food court. The cooks and employees have had to be quite creative in their menu choices and they have been quite successful too! In order to continue to present a variety of entrée selections, students are offered at least one additional hot choice and one cold choice daily, and hamburgers and cheeseburgers are grilled each day outside. Other daily offerings may include pizza, breaded chicken patty sandwiches, grilled chicken sandwiches and salads. Fresh vegetables and a hot vegetable are offered daily, and twice a week a potato choice is featured. A surprising and unexpected benefit of the construction is that the staff is feeding the construction workers on a daily basis, giving a boost to ala carte sales! Submitted by Ada Goroncy 22 Nutrition ink News Winter 2011 Nutrition in the Community Race for Pace 5k Run Walk and Paws for Pace Pace School is a placement option for school districts in Allegheny and surrounding counties that serves kids, K-9, with emotional challenges or Autism. The Race for Pace 5K Run/Walk and Paws for Pace 1 mile Dog Walk are held each year in October to raise funds and awareness for Pace School. This year marked ten years for this fun but worthy cause. The Nutrition Group has been a proud corporate sponsor each of the last ten years and proudly manages the school’s food service program. Our team continues to grow each year, as does our commitment to Pace School. This year, Team Nutrition, comprised of The Nutrition Group’s employees, friends, and family members weighed in with over 35 participants. Way to go team! Submitted by Joel Madison Adopt A Highway Program As part of our staff wellness program that promotes charitable and community events, The Nutrition Group is proud to participate in the Pennsylvania Adopt-aHighway Program. Each Fall and Spring, our food service directors in Erie and Crawford counties, along with members of our upper support team, gather in Cambridge Springs to clean a two-mile stretch of Route 19. Together we spend a few hours cleaning debris and garbage from the roadside, in addition to reaping the healthy benefits of walking. Submitted by Melissa Kingen Welcome Aboard… Food Service Managers, Assistants, Trainees and Staff Judy Theirel, Melissa Traill, Jessica Karg, Myra Fink, Donna Shingle, Paul Daniels, Aaron Kowalski, Kelly McCausland, Mallory Rosenberg, Dana Mollander, Daneyon White, Michele Topor, Betsy Oswald, Marci Cumberland, Kristin Wolfe, Victoria Gruber, Angela Doty, Sandra Bacon, George Stock, Michael Weber, Mark Venanzio, Scott Roble, Laura Wampler, and Kenneth Orsino. Good luck to all in your new positions! Congratulations... to Mary and Harry Filler on the birth of their daughter, Alanna Catherine on September 10. Alanna was also welcomed home by big sisters Adrianna and Angelina. Congratulations also go out to Melissa and Aaron Collevechio on the birth of their son, Alex on September 12. Alex was also welcomed home by big brother Aaron. Bless them and their little ones! Wedding Bells rang out for…Jodee (Stevenson) Murphy and her husband Chris on September 14, Heather (Kovaleski) Fedoryk and her husband Craig on September 18, and Melaina (Schachte) Montgomery and her husband Dan on October 2. Congratulations and best wishes to the newlyweds! Winter 2011 Nutrition ink News 23 580 Wendel Road Suite 100 Irwin, PA 15642 Corporate Office / Southwest Regional Office: Northwest Regional Office: Northeast Regional Office: Southeast Regional Office: Ross McClintock Regional Vice President Dan Bazylak Regional Vice President Nancy Kohl General Manager Kathy Bednarik Regional Sales Manager 580 Wendel Road, Suite 100 Irwin, PA 15642 10000 US Highway 322 West Conneaut Lake, PA 16316 PO Box 465 Marietta, PA 17547 724.978.2100 Phone 724.978.2115 Fax 800.933.6658 Phone 814.382.3669 Fax 1706 Bloom Road Danville, PA 17821 570.284.4549 Phone 570.284.4551 Fax 717.426.2563 Phone 717.426.2696 Fax Nutrition ink Food for Thought Christmas Tree Snack INGREDIENTS: • Sugar snap peas • Slice of cheese • Star cookie cutter • Pretzel sticks • Red paper plate INSTRUCTIONS: Lay slice of cheese on a flat surface and use star-shaped cookie cutter to make a star. Lay pretzel sticks at bottom of plate. Make tree limbs with sugar snap peas. Stack to desired height and place cheese star on top. Serve with low-fat dressing.