Intern Corner
HEADQUARTERS
Simplify your Meal Service with
A NEW PERSPECTIVE: NYSNA ANNUAL CONFERENCE The one thing I will never forget about conference was the amazing smell in the room. From pizza to perogies there was enough food for attendees to taste 100 times over! It is fascinating to me that so many foods businesses tailor their items to the school food service market. The same chicken nuggets that are sold in store are not the same ones the students eat. I really enjoyed talking to vendors about what they sell and how it meets school lunch guidelines. When I wasn’t enjoying the food, I took a minute to think about all the work that went into the day to make it successful. Getting the vendors there was one task but making sure they have what they need is another. All the organizing from setting the agenda for the day to making name tags I learned so much about how to get an event up and running. Moral of the story: anything that is not
Fully compliant Offer Versus Serve (OVS) Meals ™ Simple Choice Meals !
JULIA ALOTTA Intern
alphabetized is not organized! My favorite part of the day was helping check in vendors and attendees because I had the opportunity to understand their jobs and why they came. It was awesome to see volunteers from the conference committee in action organizing the raffle, checking people in, and making sure vendors were up and running. When I thought about the event the next day, I could not get over how clever of a concept it was. Food Service Directors could physically meet with businesses and discuss foods they can buy to expand their program. An event like this ignites creativity and I am happy to be a part of bringing industries together.
VIDEO
Choose from 7 Varieties of Shelf Stable or Thaw & Serve Meals
JULIA ALOTTA - Julia - Julia is currently a student at the University at Albany working towards a degree in public administration with a concentration in non- profit management. She received her undergraduate degree from the University at Albany last December with a double major in public policy and public health and is expected to graduate with her master’s degree in May 2022. Julia’s goal is to continue to work in school nutrition until every single child has access to healthy and nutritious meals. The sky is the limit! NYSNA Intern MY FIRST CAFETERIA VISIT In October I was excited to have the opportunity to visit Guilderland CSD and shadow the Food Service Director, Megan Bates. I walked in not knowing what to expect especially because I have never been inside a cafeteria kitchen before. Megan took me to the high school’s main kitchen, and then a secondary one that was nearby. It really is true that Food Service Directors never know what their day is going to look like. As soon as we walked into the kitchen Megan had to hop on the cash register and help get the kids checked out. Each student came up one by one grabbing the first thing they saw. Luckily, I came to visit on Italian dunker day, the kids favorite (and mine). I found it fascinating how fast the students went through the line because they had a pin number that they put into the computer. It seems like a simple concept that saves time but most importantly it gives the kids more time to eat and socialize. At the high school, they allow the students to eat outside on nicer days so they can get some fresh air and re-energize. After we did the kitchen tour, I was surprised to see how many students attended the school. I could not believe that almost 5,200 students had to be fed in such a short amount of time throughout the district! Talk about a big task! The cooks and support staff were always smiling! You could really tell how much they love what they do. With that being said, the kitchen is nothing less than superior and I had to take some pictures. There are state of the art ovens, pots, and pans, as well as other kitchen supplies. The only saying that comes to mind “you don’t know what you don’t know” and let me tell you I truly was mind blown! Guilderland CSD is set up for success, and they put the children’s needs first. I am so impressed about how they continued to feed them even during the pandemic. Megan is a true leader and does not tell her staff to do anything she would not do. This cafeteria visit was a priceless experience!
• Solutions for Staffing Challenges & Speed Lines! • So easy to set up Express Lines or Satellite Feeding throughout the School!
Simple Choice Meals contain 3 of 5 of the components needed for a reimbursable meal For a complete meal offer fruit and/or vegetable and milk
• Use for: NSLP/SSO, SFSP, CACFP • Speed though serving lines, no more tough choices • Offer versus serve is covered • Minimize food waste • Grab & go!
Call 516.682.5494 to set up an appointment or visit esfoods.com. ESFoods. Always the best solution.
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FreshBites
WINTER 2022
FreshBites
WINTER 2022
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