Transforming School Nutrition Bite by Bite - Season 4 Episode 1

Transforming School Nutrition Bite by Bite. This is Season 4 Episode 1 of the Putnam Proud Podcast.   The Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) Nutrition Department could easily be considered the largest "restaurant" in the county, serving nearly 800,000 meals a year. What continues to set the nutrition department apart from other dining establishments in the area is that every meal is FREE, thanks to the Community Eligibility Program (CEP). This initiative ensures that every student has access to nutritious meals at no charge, a critical support as some form of food insecurity continues to affect many families. With breakfast and lunch freely available, PCCSS helps guarantee that students can focus on their education without the distraction of hunger.   The dedicated staff within the PCCSS Nutrition Department goes beyond merely preparing food; they craft a wholesome and engaging dining experience for over 3,000 students. Each day, in the four school kitchens, meals are prepared from scratch. This dedication to fresh, homemade cooking allows the staff to get creative with their offerings. From heartwarming home-cooked meals and diverse salad bars to inventive in-house prepared Lunchables and build-your-own bars, the emphasis is on providing variety and quality. The nutrition staff takes immense pride in their work, understanding the significant impact that nutritious meals have on the students' overall well-being and academic performance.   The PCCSS nutrition program has recently embraced the Farm-to-School movement, a forward-thinking initiative aimed at providing students with the freshest and most nutritious food possible. By integrating hydroponic farms within each school, students now benefit from consuming vegetables and herbs grown right on the premises. This method ensures that the food is not only fresh but also free from harmful pesticides and long transportation times, which can diminish nutritional value. The fresh produce is incorporated into weekly wellness classes led by Nutrition Director Teena Carr, allowing students to explore new foods and gain insights into some of the different ways food can be grown. In addition to the hydroponic farms, Mrs. Carr has taken another significant step towards local food sourcing by introducing beef cattle to the school grounds. The cattle will be raised on-site and utilized as a fresh source of protein for the students in the future. This initiative is expected to provide high-quality beef, while also allowing students to witness the complete farm-to-table process, fostering a greater appreciation for where their food comes from, and the effort involved in its production.   At the heart of it all, the children are the top priority for the cafeteria staff. The commitment to early mornings and the rigorous effort put into meal preparation are all worthwhile when they witness the joy and satisfaction of a child enjoying their meal. The genuine smiles and occasional requests for seconds are rewarding affirmations of their hard work. In this way, the PCCSS Nutrition Department not only fulfills a fundamental need but also fosters a nurturing and supportive school environment, ensuring that every child is well-fed and ready to learn.   Thanks for listening.

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Go to the Putnam County Charter School System website for more information:

Putnam County Charter School System website

Length -54:23

The music in the opening is from Soul Shifters. It is called Honey Bee.

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