UPDATES FROM NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BY KIMBERLY VUMBACO
Director of Child Nutrition Programs New York State Education Department
We’re thrilled to share that our first year of Universal Free School Meals is off to a strong start! To support and elevate school meal programs across New York State, we’ve been busy developing exciting events, hands-on training opportunities, and impactful marketing resources. A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible school food service professionals whose dedication and hard work make these programs possible. Your commitment to nourishing students every day is the foundation of our success—and we’re here to support you every step of the way. 2026 NY Farm to School Summit February 23–25 in Saratoga Springs. This exciting event will bring together school nutrition professionals, farmers, educators, and community leaders to strengthen local food systems and celebrate the impact of Farm to School programs across the state. Attendees can look forward to hands-on workshops, inspiring success stories, and opportunities to build partnerships that connect New York-grown food to school meals. See you there! Spring and Summer 2026 Farm to School Regional Workshops Much like the statewide Farm to School Summit, the Regional Farm to School Workshops offer a locally focused opportunity for hands-on learning, collaboration, and culinary training. Hosted by NYSED’s Office of Child Nutrition and Cornell Cooperative Extension – Harvest NY, these full- day events bring together educators, food service professionals, school leaders, and local producers to strengthen Farm to School efforts. Participants explore ways to connect classroom lessons with cafeteria meals, gain practical culinary skills from Brigaid and NYSED Master Instructors, and learn strategies for sourcing and serving local food. Farmers and vendors also engage with schools, offering samples and insights into collaboration. Upcoming workshops are planned for Long Island, the Capital District, Finger Lakes, and Central New York regions this spring and summer. Go to our website for more details and registration. Regional Roots: Culinary Training Utilizing Local Foods – Reserve Your Training Date! Provide your school food service team with free, hands-on culinary training held right in your school kitchen during the school day! This innovative program helps staff build confidence and skills to prepare fresh, nutritious meals using New York-grown ingredients.
Regional Roots Culinary Training at Port Jervis CSD
Training slots for this school year are filling fast, don’t miss out! Complete the Regional Roots Culinary Interest Form to bring this opportunity to your school. Empower your team, delight your students, and keep local recipes on the menu all year long! What food service directors are saying about Regional Roots: “Students loved the crispy kale chips—and staff loved the confidence boost!” “Our staff left energized and ready to revamp the menu.”
18
FreshBites
WINTER 2026
Powered by FlippingBook