Friday Focus
December 9, 2022
SCHOOL NUTRITION NEWSLETTER
message from the director
This month's MPLH (Meals per Labor Hour) report is very positive! All schools are operating efficiently based on their scheduled labor hours. Heavilin sits on the bubble. Jackie and her staff have the biggest hurdles to overcome with only 14% of students eligible for free and reduced price meals. Their lower than average participation rate is due to a hard to convince parent demographic. Since parents are the decision makers, she and her team have to work especially hard to bring in customers. This has a lot to do with why Jackie markets her program so well. There is a big difference in doing a job and doing a job well. She makes sure each promotion decision she makes targets her customers and delivers a message of excellence. This is the path from good to great. Next week she has incorporated nutrition education into her event. Read the poem she wrote below and notice how cleverly she re-introduces the Power Up Pals and the benefits of each food group they represent. I continue to marvel at how well all of you are doing at marketing events, it's impressive! Some ideas are genius right out of the gate, while others need to go back to the drawing board. That's just the nature of the creative process everyone has to go through. Remember, it's only by working together and getting feedback that we are able to refine and improve ideas to make sure they are telling the story of our mission and clearly centered on our customers.
Happiest of holidays to all of you. May you find peace, rest, joy and merriment with those who matter most.
With gratitude,
Kathy
Grinchmas Brunch 2022
Meals Per Labor Hour (MPLH) Report
Thank You!
Chili and Cinnamon Rolls? --Rachael Danyi
"What about chili cheese fries with cinnamon rolls for lunch on a cold January day?" I asked Kathy. She sort of looked at me like maybe I was crazy for a moment, but then asked me why I picked that. "Well, it's normally just chili with cinnamon rolls, but I think the kids might like chili cheese fries and adding the cinnamon roll would be a nice treat."
We both said "I've heard of that before. I wonder if the kids would like it?"
I told her it's something I know people put together but didn't know why.
I mean who doesn't love a good warm bowl of hearty chili on a cold day (especially a day like today)? It's more than just food-for a lot of people it's a memory maker. Most people have a recipe that they swear by. Their grandma's or mom's. Or maybe their dad was the master chili maker in the family.
Same thing with cinnamon rolls. Some people say the only way to make them is with mashed potatoes. Others pop a can and throw them in the oven. Either way that scent and taste is so comforting and feels indulgent, especially for an early morning Sunday breakfast. But what if we put them together?
Sweet and Salty, Sweet and Savory-however you want to put it, for whatever reason they go together.
The best information I can find is that Marietta Abarr, who worked as a school cook in 1944 in Des Moines was the first one to put the meal on school lunch menus. Other information is that chili and cinnamon rolls began appearing in 1946 in combination with the USDA NSLP, regarding meal requirements and how to make things such as beans stretch yet be a filling meal. What are your thoughts on this uniquely Midwestern combination? Do you dip the cinnamon roll into the chili or save the roll for dessert? Or do you think "NO WAY!"
I think I may try it over break. Whatever you think of this meal. it sure is something different.
Rachael's homemade chili recipe:
1 TB chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
Two 14.5 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
One 14.5 oz can tomato sauce
One 16 oz can cannellini beans
One 16 oz can chili beans or red kidney beans
1 diced green pepper OPTIONAL
1 diced onion OPTIONAL
Adjust seasonings to taste.
Toppings: Sour cream, chopped onions, sliced jalapenos, shredded cheddar cheese
*I make my chili thinner rather than super thick, so adjust amount of tomatoes or sauce as desired*
Try a Persimmon
Quick Holiday Treat
Enter to Win
welcome new hires!
digital resources
OPEN POSITIONS
Non-employees can apply by completing an online application as an External Applicant here: https://www.applitrack.com/valpo/onlineapp/
FS Tech, Central, 3.5 hours
FS Tech, TJM, 4 hours
2022-23 Calendar
December 15, 2022 - Half Day K-12 (Regular Work Day)
December 16, 2022 - No School (No Work unless used as Weather Make Up Day)
December 19 - January 2, 2023 Winter Break, No School (No Work)
January 3, 2033 - Return to Work
January 16, 2023 - Martin Luther King Day, No School (No Work)
February 17, 2023 - No School (No Work)
February, 20, 2023 - President's Day, No School (No Work)
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https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1221036&type=d&pREC_ID=1455849
About Us
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Email: kkane@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/nutrition
Location: 2727 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso, IN 46385
Phone: (219) 531-3050
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Twitter: @ValpoSchoolFood