Davis Food Services Newsletter

Bedford School Lunch Program

June 2016 Newsletter

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all our faculty and student customers for their continued support throughout this school year. Our goal is not only to serve food according to the USDA regulations but, to provide you with a level of service you expect. To that end we held a training class for all our staff in March of this year entitled "Focus on the Customer." The training was conducted by a staff member of the John Stalker Institute from Framingham State University. John Stalker has a training program for schools called "Workshops to Go" which they can conduct for school lunch programs. The Massachusetts Department of Education collaborates with John Stalker to provide support and guidance for school lunch programs throughout Massachusetts on an ongoing basis.

Please Note: Effective March 21, 2016, the Office for Nutrition, Health and Safety Programs at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary has been renamed the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs.

We will once again be eligible for funds from the USDA to join the Department of Defense Produce Program next year. We will be using about $10,000 of our entitlement money to 'purchase' fresh fruits and vegetables from a local vendor. This program will help us to launch a new initiative next year as we strive to provide more fresh produce in our cafeterias. On Wednesday's and Thursday's at the high school and middle school we will be offering a 'Lunch Topper's' food station. This station will be stocked with fresh produce for students who buy lunch to 'top' their lunch with a selection of fresh foods. I am very excited about this new option, it will help us to get students excited about school lunch and give them the choice of adding fresh produce to their lunch. The program will begin in October and run through May, (this is the same time frame as the DOD produce program). 

Another new program I am launching in September of next school year is a 'Try it Station.' We will be offering a taste of some new items for students to sample. The sample will be just a taste, but, I am hoping once students try an item (maybe for the first time) they may even like it. The schedule of items for the year is:

Kenneth Whittier
Food Service Director
Bedford Public Schools
(781) 275-9129
Email

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