School Food Innovator Series
The School Food Innovator Series is a virtual quarterly gathering designed for members of the California Food for California Kids® Network. This series showcases innovation in school food leadership across the state and fosters connections between Network members and offers peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
Celebrating California Food for California Kids®
December 4, 2024
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In this session, we recognize California Food for California Kids Network leaders transforming school food and share highlights from Farm to School Month events statewide. Then, a guest speaker joins to discuss strategies for schools to support food hubs with local procurement of fruits and vegetables.
Promote Your School Meal Program
September 12, 2024
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In this session, we're joined by a public relations professional for a special media training and share tips for social media promotion. Then, we hear from a school nutrition professional on how they promote the California-grown fruits and vegetables they serve.
Partner with Local Farmers
May 1, 2024
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Learn strategies for building relationships with local farmers, navigating bidding rules and regulations, and sourcing more California-grown fruits and vegetables for your students.
Lead Engaging Student Taste Tests
February 28, 2024
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Learn strategies for adapting taste tests for all age groups, engaging students on new menu items and breakfast offerings, and partnering with local farmers to introduce new fruits and vegetables.
Support Your Team's Success with Fresh, Local Food
December 6, 2023
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Hear from a panel of experts on involving your staff in recipe and menu development, building relationships with local farmers, and incorporating seasonal fruits and vegetables into your menu planning.
Strategies for Freshly-Prepared
September 27, 2023
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Learn strategies for serving freshly-prepared school meals featuring California-grown fruits and vegetables from LunchAssist, Spork Food Hub, and Santa Ana Unified School District.
Support for Summer Meals
April 19, 2023
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This session focused on best practices for summer meals and farm to summer programming. Get inspired by school nutrition leaders from the California Food for California Kids® Network as they share community outreach strategies, enrichment activities for students, and their favorite California-grown foods to serve in the summer.
Spotlight on Farm to School
November 30, 2022
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Are you starting with just a handful of seeds? Working to connect with local farmers? Managing a successful grant program? Guest speakers highlight connections between the school cafeteria, garden, and classroom in the California Food for California Kids® Network.
Putting School Meals for All into Practice
September 21, 2022
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Hear from school food experts on managing School Meals for All operations, ideas for including nutrition services in district-wide decision making, serving more freshly prepared ingredients in the cafeteria, innovations for breakfast service, and more.
Lessons from the Field in School Food Leadership
March 24, 2022
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Hear from school food leadership sharing ideas for strengthening staff morale, building successful community partnerships, and advocating for your school nutrition programs.
Fresh from California
December 2, 2021
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Learn about the Fresh from California campaign: an opportunity for school districts to increase access to California-grown fruits and vegetables. This session highlights ideas for increasing local procurement and guidance on activating connections with local fresh fruit and vegetable vendors.
Celebrating Leadership and Innovation
September 23, 2021
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Hear from a panel of awardees from the 2021 California Food for California Kids® Leadership and Innovation Awards, recognized for their creativity and initiative in improving school food and farm to school programs, advocating for better school food policies, and continuing to provide nutritious school meals to students and families during an exceptionally challenging school year.
