GCISD Nutrition Services

Parent Culinary AcademyDecember 4, 2019

Nutrition ServicesAs professionals in the Child Nutrition industry, we are proud to provide the children of the GCISD community with high quality food and friendly service. We believe that our partnership furthers the growth and success of our students, staff and community.

Agenda1. Presentation

★ Program Information ★ Menu Planning ★ Student Voice ★ Photo Slideshow

1. Demonstration by Chef Jason

2. Food Samples 3 . Q & A

Program Information

Program Information

● GCISD participates in the National School Lunch (NSLP), National

School Breakfast (SBP) and Seamless Summer (SSO) Programs for

kindergarten through eighth -grade

○ GCISD does not participate in the National School

Lunch/Breakfast Program for ninth through twelfth -grade

● Services are provided at 19 sites (including Bridges/Vista and

Collegiate Academy), snacks are provided for KidzU after-school

program

● The Nutrition Services budget is separate from the District’s operating

budget. The department maintains a positive fund balance and covers

all operating expenses.

● GCISD receives an ‘A’ on all health inspections and has an active

safety training program

Program Information

Nutrition Services participates in the federally funded National

School Lunch and Breakfast program. These programs are

governed by numerous federal, state and local regulations.

● USDA oversees and administers the federally funded

programs

● Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) oversees all schools in

Texas and enforces USDA regulations

● Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act 2010 or HHFKA (federal law)

added numerous restrictions and rules that make it a

challenge to provide flavorful foods and industry

manufacturers have been adjusting to make menu items more

appealing and flavorful.

● TDA audits school districts every three years

● GCISD conducts annual external financial audits

● For more information visit: www.gcisd.net ; Texas Department

of Agriculture ; USDA Food and Nutrition Services

Program Information

The Nutrition Services department has received numerous awards and recognition.

● Director awarded School Nutrition Association Director of the Year

Texas and Southwest Region 2018

● District awarded Texas Department of Agriculture Local Products

Challenge three consecutive years

● Received the “Egg-sellence” award from the American Egg Council (1

of 33 schools nationwide)

● Rethink School meals awarded three kitchen managers the School

Meal Hero Award 2018

● Received a School Lunch Grant through Texas Hunger Initiative

● Received a Dairy Max Grant for the high school coffee bars

● Received a school lunch grant from Heartland Payment systems to

help fund Literary Lunch

● TDA and external compliance audits have been outstanding

Community Partnerships

Community partnerships are a core value of the Nutrition

Services department.

● Food drive, volunteerism with GRACE

● Back to School Fair

● Toys for Tots collection

● Rachel’s Challenge

● Weekend Backpacks food donation

● Partner with CONNECT

● Partner with School Nurses on food allergies, menu

nutrition and nutrition education

● Staff work to support PTA events

● Holiday drive for Gatehouse

Menu Planning

Menu Planning Planning menus requires strict adherence to rules and balancing of

various interests. A few of the main considerations include:

● Reviewing program regulations such as USDA Smart Snacks,

calorie and sodium restrictions, and use of certain vegetables in

order to meet the menu requirements

● Student preferences

● Reasonably priced meals

● Product availability

What’s on the Menu?

Department information and school menus are available in a

variety of platforms.

● Calendar menu for kindergarten through fifth grade

● Middle and high school menus available online and printed

copy at school

● Digital student feedback available in the café

● Menu App

● Myschoolbucks App

● SchoollunchApp (for free and reduced participants)

● Digital Menu Boards in the café

● Department Website

● Social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

Participation A comparison of GCISD’s previous nine months of student participation and that of the national School Nutrition Operations Report, The State of School Nutrition 2018 Executive Summary .

Student Voice

Focus Groups and Taste Testing

● Student focus groups at middle and high schools

● Annual taste test party with elementary and middle

school students

● Taste testing of chef inspired items at all GCISD

schools

● Partnership with our high school Culinary Arts

Program at the TECC

● Parent Culinary Academy

● Ongoing student and parent surveys

Education Engaging with students is a fun way to connect the cafeteria with the classrooms.

● National School Lunch and Breakfast Week

● State Fair Week

● Harvest of the month

● Literary Lunches

● Fruit Cone Friday

● Recipe Contests

● Taste Test Parties

Student Feedback

● Use of anonymous Happy or Not instant student

feedback devices

● 82% satisfaction rate among all students (23,235

responses)

● Industry average satisfaction with quick -to-serve

meals is 77%

Meet Chef Jason

● Chef Jason recently moved to Texas from Minneapolis. Chef Jason

holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and an Associates degree in

Culinary Arts from the University of Minnesota.

● He has a passion for food and an extensive background in

restaurants and private dining. His most recent experience was

working as a personal chef for Farm to Fork in Minnesota. He

coordinated and created personal menu plans for families and

prepared meals in the clients home. He has experience with food

demos, farmers markets and catering. Other jobs he has held

include a sous chef at the Yorke Room and Team Lead at Whole

Foods Market.

Food Quality & Presentation

● Food quality and presentation on the line is a high priority

● In response to parent feedback, we are using more fresh produce

● Added flavor stations with optional self service seasonings and

spices are available to students

● Home-style items offered such as Lasagna, Chicken Spaghetti,

Meatloaf, Chicken Pot Pie, Baked Potato Soup

● Redeveloped recipes to meet student preferences ex: Broccoli and

Cheese, Seasoned Green beans, Refried beans and Roasted

Cauliflower

● Farm Fresh produce offered regularly

● Developed Chef inspired recipes

● Locally sourced products offered as available

Branded Products

Photo Slideshow

Demonstration ● Demonstration of chicken fajitas being served in our schools● Taste chef inspired items