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SCUSD Participates in Healthy School Food Pathway Program
October 2022
School district nutrition services departments across the country were left shorthanded during the pandemic — Santa Clara Unified School District included. When Nutrition Services Director Karen Luna heard about an exciting opportunity that would encourage new people to join her team, she jumped at the chance to host trainees from the Chef Ann Foundation’s Healthy School Food Pathway (HSFP) program.
Left to right: Chef Ann Foundation Director of Programs Emily Gallivan, Chef Ann Foundation Senior Director of School Food Operations Brandy Dreibelbis, and Carol (Gaby) Flores
The HSFP program is a work-based learning experience that aims to prepare individuals for job opportunities in healthy, cooking-from-scratch school food programs. The apprenticeship program and workforce learning series is a three-year pilot program.
“We are very proud to be one of the founding Districts for the Chef Ann Healthy School Food Pathway,” said Director of Nutrition Services Karen Luna.
In September, Civil Eats interviewed Luna and Gabby Flores, HSFP apprentice and member of the nutrition services team, about the program and what it brings to the table. Flores, who oversees the Scott Lane Elementary school kitchen, applied for the apprenticeship with the goal of being able to plan and cook school meals.
“I like to cook from scratch. I make my own ketchup, my own bread,” Flores told Civil Eats. “I like to cook for kids.”
Flores’ seven-week-long “pre-apprenticeship,” involved a 100-hour commitment to instruction and on-the-job training. During the pre-apprenticeship, Flores learned how to cut open fruits and vegetables to check for insects or rot, how to safely handle a meat slicer, and use a combination oven, among other things. You can read the full interview on the Civil Eats website.
This year, Flores has opted to move on to the formal apprenticeship, which consists of 1,200 hours of work and classes over nine months, with a small pay raise. Congratulations Gabby, keep up the good work — you’re an inspiration to others.
Luna says that they will be announcing the second round of pre-apprentice members soon, so stay tuned!