California’s year-round harvests put the flavor and color in Davis Joint Unified School District meals. Around half of the produce purchased for school meals comes from farms within 300 miles of the district. These local foods are featured in salad bars and freshly-prepared and made-from-scratch entrees and sides.
Every school in the district has self-serve, seasonal salad bars, offering a “Crunch Mix” of green leaf lettuce, Swiss chard, and spinach from neighboring farms and toppings such as cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, three bean salad and a variety of fresh fruits.
The Nutrition Services staff whip up delicious hot entrees, such as Thai Lemon Chicken; Moroccan Vegetable Tajine; Roast Pork with fresh tomatoes and herbs; Chicken Pasta Alfredo, topped with organic cherry tomatoes, farm fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese; and Burritos prepared with tomatillos and cilantro from the farmers market. Students also love the handmade Sushi using locally-grown organic rice, fresh cucumber, avocado and seafood salad.
To produce these delectable meals, Nutrition Services is constantly providing professional development opportunities for its staff. Employees have taken classes with an award-winning cookbook author and teacher, who provides training in flavor profiles, ethnic diversity, and how to cook with fresh, seasonal vegetables.
Students are invited to be part of the fun too – the district’s central kitchen offers daily tours and cooking classes for all grade levels!
Click below to see the freshly prepared and from scratch foods served in Davis Joint Unified School District.
RC
This looks wonderful, I admire your efforts in keeping school meals healthy and kid approved! Keep up the good work.
RC
Beautiful presentation!
I am sure the food tastes even better than it looks.
You and your staff have gone the extra mile!
This is wonderful – way to go! Keep up the good work!
this looks very enspiring as I am about to lauch my food and growing product with my pre-schoolers.