Contracted Services
The Network for a Healthy California—LAUSD (Network) empowers each participating school to create a set of SMART Goals for implementation of the program within the school community. As part of their funding, schools receiving an award can choose from a variety of contracted services that help bring nutrition education messages to life in a fun, hands-on way. These include Chefs in the Classroom, Farm Programs, Murals and Theatrical Presentations. Though each contracted service is unique, they are all built on the idea that providing interactive educational experiences makes learning come alive and helps students thrive.
Chefs in the Classroom
The Chefs in the Classroom program gives students the opportunity to try out their fruit and vegetable cooking skills as they work side-by-side with professional chefs. This collaboration brings chefs straight into the classroom so students can experience both the joy of cooking and the adventure of tasting beautifully prepared and presented fruit and vegetable dishes.
Our chefs are chosen based on their practical experience, flair for presentation and ability to model the best practices of their profession. The recipes are selected to showcase the featured Harvest of the Month produce and represent the different cuisines found in the multi-ethnic Los Angeles community.
Each chef brings the ingredients and tools needed for the recipes, and then carefully guides the students through safety and cooking skills. The combined effort of the chef, students and teacher creates a hands-on learning experience that is inspiring and engaging. History, language arts, social studies, art, mathematics and science are often woven into the cooking experience.
Students are anxious to taste new foods when they have been actively involved in their preparation. Many are surprised at how delicious fruits and vegetables can be, and that enthusiasm is carried home to their families. Each student receives a copy of the recipes created in the classroom, and on many occasions the students have recreated the dishes in their own kitchens at home.
Each year, we work with dozens of chefs who serve up approximately 500 Chefs in the Classroom visits – impacting more than 15,000 students annually in Network schools.
For more information on this program, please contact Paige Wilson at paige.wilson@lausd.net, James McGroarty at james.f.mcgroarty@lausd.net, or Alex Hamilton-Smith at alex_hamiltonsmith@yahoo.com or call the Network office at (818) 609-2550.
Farm Programs
The Network feels it is very important for students to understand where their food comes from. Our goal is to familiarize students with where, and how, fruits and vegetables are grown, while giving them the opportunity to taste and sample fresh seasonal produce.
Farmer in the Classroom
When students meet a real farmer the questions are often amazing. “Do you have a car?” “Is there electricity where you live?” “Do you get lost in the fields?” The Farmer in the Classroom program brings local farmers directly into the schools. During a school day each farmer visits up to five classrooms to talk about their farms, their careers and the produce they grow. Students have a chance to ask questions and taste the various types of produce grown on the farm, which brings the whole experience to life. During the 2008-09 school year, the program reached approximately 52,500 students.
Farmers’ Market Stand
With this program, schools can enjoy a farmers' market stand during a school nutrition event. The farmer brings a variety of fresh produce for tasting and sampling and is available to answer questions and interact with the participants. It is a popular way to introduce fruits and vegetables to family members who attend these events with their children. In 2008-2009, there were 39 Farmers’ Market Stands at Network schools.
For more information on these programs, please contact Scott Perry at scott.e.perry@lausd.net, James F. McGroarty at james.f.mcgroarty@lausd.net, or Jared Call at jared@see-la.org or call the Network office at (818) 609-2550.
Click here to read a Q&A with SEE-LA!
Murals
How do you draw the attention of students to a subject like nutrition? Get them involved in an art project that allows them to have fun and learn at the same time. Murals can transform an entire school campus. Their beauty, artwork and messages reinforce healthy choices every day, which is why the Network supports nutrition education murals at our schools.
Murals can be designed by the students, teachers, parents and other school community members, or by the mural artist. They can also be installed using student help under the mural artist’s direction.
New funder guidelines limit school sites to one Network funded mural.
To view a slideshow of murals created in the past, please click on thumbnail below.
For more information on this program, please contact Jodi Eyraud at jodi.eyraud@lausd.net, James F. McGroarty at james.f.mcgroarty@lausd.net, or Michael Howard at Opclnsl8@yahoo.com or call the Network office at (818) 609-2550.
Click here to read a Q&A with Operation Clean Slate's Michael Howard!
Theatrical
Theatrical presentations give fruits and vegetables center stage, leaving students hungry for an encore! By incorporating nutrition education themes in an engaging play format, these presentations are a star attraction and leave powerful and lasting messages in children and adults alike.
For more information on this program, please contact Scot Matsuda at scot.matsuda@lausd.net, or James F. McGroarty at james.f.mcgroarty@lausd.net, or Ann Noriel acnoriel@mac.com or call the Network office at (818) 609-2550.
