Advertisement

chefs move to schools

Michelle Obama Wants a Chef in Your School's Lunchroom

Chefs Move to Schools program assembles a chefs' summit on the White House lawn.

by Marian Burros



The First Lady encouraged 700 visiting chefs to work with local schools. Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson.

The First Lady encouraged 700 visiting chefs to work with local schools. Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson.

RODALE NEWS, WASHINGTON, DC—Pete Johnson and Bill Allen set out from northeastern Vermont at 4 p.m. last Thursday afternoon, arriving in Washington, D.C. Friday morning at 2 a.m., in time to join 500 chefs who were here to meet with Michelle Obama at the White House. They were back on the road by 2 p.m., and home in Craftsbury, VT, at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

They had spent 21 hours on the road because the first lady sent out a call to chefs across to country, asking them to become involved in their local schools where they might be able to convince children that healthful food not only tastes better than junk food, but that it's cooler. That's a task that has defeated most lunch ladies for decades. The program, Chefs Move to Schools, will be run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with help from Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit whose goal is to end childhood hunger. About 1,000 chefs have signed on so far to this latest component of the first lady's Let's Move initiative.

Johnson, who owns Pete’s Greens, a 50-acre vegetable farm where Allen turns some of the raw ingredients into prepared food, has plans to make school lunch next year for the 150 children in the Craftsbury school district every Friday, using produce from his farm.

White Hats at the White House

In the kind of 90-degree summer day for which Washington is infamous, the chefs sat on the shadeless South Lawn of the White House to hear the first lady cheer them on and thank them for working with schools. She also asked them to lobby for the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill, working its way through Congress now, that would add some—though not much—money to school lunch programs, set higher health standards for foods in schools, and expand the number of low-income children eligible for free or reduced-cost meals.

Then, some of the best-known of the chefs and food personalities, including Tom Coliccio, Michel Nishan, Cat Cora, and Rachel Ray, walked down to the White House garden with some local schoolchildren to harvest fresh ingredients (You can see some of their antics at the blog ObamaFoodorama.com). Later they cooked grilled chicken salad with herb-sherry vinaigrette (made with sherry vinegar, not sherry), broccoli and fennel with yogurt dip, and rhubarb strawberry crisp.

The chefs’ day started at 8 a.m., when they gathered at a nearby hotel to attend a program designed to help them make a connection with a school. The program, organized by Share Our Strength, emphasized the importance of using diplomacy because there will be people in the schools who don’t want any changes. And because, as Mrs. Obama reiterated in the afternoon, “We are not asking you to go into schools and take over.” Anyone who saw the Jamie Oliver television series, Food Revolution—his attempt to improve the quality and nutritional value of meals in a Huntington, WV, school—understands how difficult it is to change the mindset of the cafeteria personnel, not to mention the students.



Really a nice and informative

Really a nice and informative post
james bond charcoal suit

I wanted to say that it's

I wanted to say that it's nice to know that someone else also mentioned this as I had trouble finding the same info elsewhere. This was the first place that told me the answer. Thanks.

tas wanita | baju muslim | lowongan kerja | jerawat | diet plan

This is a very good article,

This is a very good article, I discovered your blog checking aol for a related subject matter and came to this. I couldnt find to much other information on this article, so it was nice to discover this one. I will be back to look at some other posts that you have another time. Bestech park view ananda

That was informative and

That was informative and bringing all these cool ideas, here is some more cool video production ideas and thoughts you guys might enjoy.

I always learn something new

I always learn something new when I come to this blog, enjoy the photos and videos too, but I never have said thanks. So let me take the time now to say thank you and i'm going to finish reading through, Regards video production san francisco

I'm impressed with the

I'm impressed with the quality of your writing. raheja new launch | raheja gurgaon

I agree with Michelle Obama,

I agree with Michelle Obama, many children consume as many as half of their daily calories at school and as families work to ensure that kids eat right and have active play at home. I read a study for my behavioral analysis degree that concluded that we need to ensure our kids have access to healthy meals in their schools if we are ever to solve the childhood obesity epidemic.

I positively enjoying each

I positively enjoying each little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog postchapter 13 bankruptcy information

Thanks for taking the time to

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information?
nicki minaj quotes

Hello there! You guys make

Hello there! You guys make this site entertaining and you still manage to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read more from you.
best movies 2010

Just wanted to drop a comment

Just wanted to drop a comment and say I am new to your blog and really like what I am reading. Thanks for the great content. Look forward to coming back for more......
best movies 2010

I've learned- That it's

I've learned-
That it's taking me a long time to become the person that I want to be. That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them. Cell Phone Lookup | Outdoor Lighting | Pellet Stoves

Welcome to buy Mulberry Bags

Welcome to buy Mulberry Bags UK,we offer such as mulberry handbags,mulberry wallets,and mulberry alexa bags Which is The Most Fashiponable With Free Shipping,No Sale Tax! Discount Mulberry outlet store are always here waiting for you!

80% OFF Sale cheap mulberry bags on our mulberry outlet,Buy Mulberry bags from our Mulberry factory shop outlet!We offer free shipping from mulberry online,we Mulberry Outlet have the AAA quality with the discount prices.

Mulberry factory shop offer mulberry bags online outlet.Annually mulberrys sale season offers 80% discount on all the genuine leather bags.Shop for your favorite Mulberry now for a price you can afford.

Luxury British label Mullberry Bags was founded in 1971 and has long been recognised for its highly crafted fine leather goods. The company's strength lies in its elegant Mullberry Handbags like the Bayswater and Alexa, which both became instant fashion classics. Mulberry factory shop online like the most British historic boutique which is more than a century old, after the brand become young, multi-pocket, multi-buckles, rivets and more so with aesthetic design and practicality, once again popular around the world.

Welcome http://www.outletmulberrys.co.uk

This internet page is

This internet page is certainly wonderful thus is the place where the problem had been grown. I want a number of the comments in the process despite the fact that I may want people maintain it again with niche if you want increase the value of the subject.
funny facebook quotes

I love to surf and my initial

I love to surf and my initial source for information is the blogs which have always helped me in my education. This blog is one of them...quotes for facebook

This is absolutely a

This is absolutely a commendable post indeed. You share splendid piece of information here. Thank you for attributing this informative post.
funny facebook statuses

I wish to say that this post

I wish to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with almost all vital infos. I'd like to look more posts like this..funny facebook status

It is perfect time to make

It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!

facebook statuses

I would like to thank you for

I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing such a wonderful article. In fact your creative writing ability has inspired me. Really the article is spreading its wings rapidly.quotes about liars

I think that it would be

I think that it would be really interesting to create such discussion with other this website visitors. Anyway thanks a lot one more time for the great and informative publication
free ads

Thanks for sharing this great

Thanks for sharing this great article! I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. It is extremely helpful for me. I hope you post again soon.
gossip girl quotes

This internet page is

This internet page is certainly wonderful thus is the place where the problem had been grown. I want a number of the comments in the process despite the fact that I may want people maintain it again with niche if you want increase the value of the subject.
facebook status

Substantially, the article is

Substantially, the article is really the best on this laudable topic. I concur with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your future updates.Just saying thank you will not just be enough, for the wonderful lucidity in your writing.

Logo design

It is very fascinating,

It is very fascinating, You’re a very professional blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look ahead to in search of more of your excellent post.
marilyn monroe quotes

Way cool, some valid points!

Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
Quotes about me

Having a decent income while

Having a decent income while working from home will allow your household to get rid of some of the stress that you're experiencing reverse phone lookup

About time people focused on

About time people focused on healthy food especially in schools. Eating healthy is a good way to live a great life! best christmas gifts 2011

Then, some of the best-known

Then, some of the best-known of the chefs and food personalities, including Tom Coliccio, Michel Nishan, Cat Cora, and Rachel Ray, walked down to the White House garden with some local schoolchildren to harvest fresh ingredients. personal loans for bad credit | personal loans for bad credit | Unsecured Personal Loans

Perfect piece of writing rich

Perfect piece of writing rich in information. I have been looking for such a post for a long time. Thanks again.
casino slots

Perfect piece of writing rich

Perfect piece of writing rich in information. I have been looking for such a post for a long time. Thanks again.
casinos en linea

my interest

I never read whole articles but the way you wrote this information is simply amazing and this kept my interest in reading and I enjoyed it. I read your post and I found it amazing.
pacquiao vs marquez and donaire vs narvaez with cotto vs margarito

It is my pleasure to read this page

RE:

I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post.Universal Degrees

Re:

Having a decent income while working from home will allow your household to get rid of some of the stress that you're experiencing.Nation High School

Re:

I'm concerned because, since I can't cook for her I bet she's having a lot of junk food which is very bad!Corllins University

Re:

Allen turns some of the raw ingredients into prepared food, has plans to make school lunch next year for the 150 children in the Craftsbury school district every Friday, using produce from his farm.Ashwood University

Food

God, they should not mess with that. What we eat is very important and we must do our best to avoid junk food and preservatives in food. My daughter is interested in curriculum and instruction masters, so she is busy studying and she can't come home very often. I'm concerned because, since I can't cook for her I bet she's having a lot of junk food which is very bad!

Michelle Obama in the european press

I also read about this idea from Michelle Obama, in german newspapers - there was also written: Michelle Obama ist gegenwärtig die First Lady im weißen Haus der USA. sie ist unteranderem bekannt für ihre schönen marken schmuck, ihre vielseitigen Ideen und auch für die Idee einen Chef in die schulen der USA zu bringen. It was written in the newspapers that many Germans thought that this was a cool idea, however also very costly. We would not do this in europe, however maybe we will learn from the results.

cool move

Obama wholeheartedly believes that if you want to succeed, you can succeed. That's why there are stimulous grants for college. There are funds for college students, there is minority aid and academic aid, and there are scholarship grants so there's nothing stopping you but your own will power.

Obama has stated that you just need to work for it, and you will succeed. Obama wants to assist working women to succeed in their work, even though they also have to raise a family. He wants to make sure that you will have an easier life and that you will still be able to make a decent income, even if you are a house wife. Having a decent income while working from home will allow your household to get rid of some of the stress that you're experiencing.

Brian
how to get rid of mice

The effects

The effects are obvious, people without children, long term residents and seniors are forced out of the community, as they don't see why they should pay for this or simply cannot afford it. buy essay | A Level Coursework

The Government

I agree with Linda, let's get away from the government provided subsidy food...its crap,loaded with sodium and preservatives! My elementary school daughter doesn't like a lot of the food because it doesn't taste good. dissertations | custom book report | Admission essay help

School Lunch

How right you are. I went to a school where the lunches were made from scratch and there wasn't a menu handed out. So everyday was a surprise. All the food was delicious. Homemade Beef Stew, the first time I ever had cornbread, tuna casserole,real chicken not pieces parts, spaghetti and meatballs, sloppy Joes. I didn't have alot of these foods at home, so here's where I got to try them. When you can smell fresh rolls and bread baking in the school halls, your appetite was ready for anything. We didn't have choices either. It was one meal and if you turned your nose up at it, you went hungry. Oh Well...Kids have too many choices today, the spoiled darlings,but if all the choices are junk foods then it's our fault, our need to take responsiblity.It's our tax money they're using to put this garbage out for them.
I mentioned on an earlier post that I was appalled to see my granddaughter's menu have a HOT PRETZEL for her main course and on another day HOT BREAD STICKS and dipping sauce! How could that ever be a meal?
When kids are hungry, they'll try new stuff.So many parents are afraid of their children. How did you ever try anything new in your diets? By trying them , right? Adults are so full of excuses...you only get one shot at raising your child. Are you setting them up for a lifetime of obesity? Diabetes is at an all time high. Not hard to figure out why.Just some of my thoughts on school lunches and thanks for taking me back down memory lane. And to think of it, there wasn't a whole lot of money to go around then , either...Hmmm maybe the schools are tied into contracts with these companies and can't negotiate out of them.
Someone needs to break the cycle.

how drunk were you

When you wrote this piece of crap?

Do you even know what you are talking about?

Tax break? The food is donated.

And go back and get your GED and study hard on grammar and spelling.

Just to point out a few.....Kool, far, not for, most schools do not have nutrition experts, allegiance, not alegance, America is capitalized and I'd be happy to cancel you.

Wake Up People

Does everything have to be politicized in this country? We are talking about the health of our children, not the Republican health, not the Democrat health. Christ, wake up, die right.

I am a part of this and, yes, my time spent doing it is my own time, not paid, as is true with ALL the Chefs that are doing it.

And for you ignorant schmucks who correct others spelling mistakes, take a look at your own.

So sad to see these comments from single minded individuals.

School chefs

My daughters school has had a chef in the kitchen for 2 years now. The first year was a trial basis at the end of the year they asked him how far out of budget he was. He replied with the numbers to back him up that he was exactly on budget that was set for the year before, when they were buying from distributers redy made foods.

He made deals with local farms to get fresh items daily. He prpared everything from scratch and greatly improved the lunch program. It took a little while for the kids to warm up to the foods but it has become a big hit.

He also instituted a fresh fruit cart that was pushed around in the afternoon for kids to take what ever they would like, for free. This also went over very well. Kids grabbed fruits instead of candy and cookies before they left school for practices or rides home on the bus.

Glen Lake Community school has greatly benefited from the new/ old program.

Hopefully schools catch on to this abnd treturn to caring about our kids and what they are eating. If done right it can easily match the processed foods that are being provided currently.

Thank you

USDA is KILLING AMERICA

The USDA is the reason our nation is eating itself to death. They promoted margarine, and 11 servings of carbs a day, and now we have scientific proof this is our nations problem. So who every you are, try reading something accurate instead of spreading your ignorant false beliefs.

Chefs work their ass off, so even volunteering a bit is an admirable thing. I'll guess that its more than you are volunteering.

KOOL is not a word.

I applaud the Obama's for finally doing something, and siding with them is siding with America.

Volunteer chefs at school? bs

some may volunteer a bit for the tax break or as you say in your article one is selling all their product ot the school system.
but you should know your spelling better yes cool is correct for colder but kool is for more fashionable or better.
Are you telling me that a disbared lawyer knows more than the USDA and thousands of nutritionalist already in the public school system.?????
you siding with the obamanations shows me where your alegance lies not with america.... cancel all my subscriptions

Chef in the Schools

Our small village prides itself of having blue ribbon schools that are expensive as private schools and paid by real estate tax. That means people who do not have any children pay additional to their regular taxes an average of 17k per household, meanwhile non property owners don't pay anything. During the last 10 years our school taxes doubled to 27.500 per student, even though student numbers were receding. Fancy programs such as after school golf or even frisbee classes are paid by property owners who don't get anything for it. A glut of admin staff led to the over management of an annually declining number of students.
The effects are obvious, people without children, long term residents and seniors are forced out of the community, as they don't see why they should pay for this or simply cannot afford it. An increasing number of houses are currently for sale under value. Through this glut of houses for sale, house values are declining.
With lots of pressure, and the use of federal incentives, the school was presented a slightly decreased budget this year. In these economic times, we are trying to save and cut down on spending. Additional hires for food monitoring are at the moment not an option. I would recommend to do the food monitoring with community volunteers under govt. guidelines.

School Lunch

Chef's in the school lunch room??? Who's going to pay that kind of salary...the tax payers. We're already maxed out and school budgets are already too high. My mom was a lunch lady and they made the food from scratch and it was good...I agree with Linda, let's get away from the government provided subsidy food...its crap,loaded with sodium and preservatives! My elementary school daughter doesn't like a lot of the food because it doesn't taste good. Chicken fingers for example, we make them at home with fresh chicken and seasoned bread crumbs and she can't get enough but won't touch those served at school. Same thing with burgers and mac-n-cheese! Made from scratch tastes better and is healthier!

School Lunch

I am 54 years old and I grew up in Alaska. When I was in grade school and junior high there we had lunch ladies who cooked food from scratch. Good food too. You could smell the bread baking and the food cooking. Sure somedays there was something on the menu kids didn't like and sure you could brown bag it. But how did we get here...How did we get to a place where you meet resistance from lunch ladies on how to prepare good food? I believe the answer is GOvernment trying to save money and being sold a lie little by little (or bite by bite) till everything came from central location and was factory made. The easy answer is to revert back to the way things were in the 60's and early 70's. Back then kids helped in the lunch room...no one freaked out over "safety standards" for kids. Insurance! Pshaw! Kids had an investment in the program. You don't have to reinvent the wheel here, just ask anyone my age how it was done or ask my auntie, a retired lunch lady in North Georgia. She is still alive and will be happy to tell about home cooked meals on a shoestring budget. Heck most of us have been doing that for year at home.

VIDEOS

Advertisement
Free Newsletter
Sign up for the FREE daily newsletter and get useful tips to keep yourself, your family, and the planet healthy and thriving.

  The Daily Fix
Authoritative reporting on the latest developments in health, food, and the environment

  Maria's Farm Country Kitchen Newsletter
Get cooking tips, learn about healthy living and even raising chickens—Maria does it all!



Your Privacy Policy

BE SOCIAL WITH US!