Over the past three years, The McFarland Unified School District’s Food Service Department has made astonishing turnarounds. Because of my combined training in culinary arts and child nutrition standards, I have been able to provide the appropriate training and management to all cafeteria staff to help ensure our compliance with the state and federal policies. Our department efforts have earned us excellent state reviews and health inspections. The noted improvement by the state gave MUSD the opportunity to participate in the Provision 2 Program. Under the Provision 2 Program our district is able to provide free meals to all registered school children.

      The Child Nutrition and Reauthorization Act of 2004 mandated all local educational agencies that participate in a federal meal reimbursable program to establish a local school wellness policy. During the 2005-2006 school year, I helped develop a district-wide school wellness policy with the help of the community and MUSD staff. In order to implement a successful school wellness policy, the district must promote healthy eating in our school meal programs.

     The McFarland Unified School District, in compliance with the national mandate, has implemented several district-wide menu changes. This has resulted in implementing new nutrients standards that comply with both California Senate Bills 12 and 965 regulations. In order to help the parents better understand our menu changes, I plan to offer bilingual cooking classes to all interested members of our community.

     Moreover, not only are our children receiving the most nutritional meals, they are receiving the safest meals We received an inspection in late October from the Health Department and all school sites received an A with a score of 100%. Long hours, dedication and the passion to make a difference have made it possible for our department to excel and provide safe nutritional meals at no charge to all our students.