Empowering School Cafeterias: Equipping Food Service Workers for Success

In a bustling gathering of over 150 food service workers from 39 school districts, the Central Wisconsin Small School Co-op Summer Workshop in Osseo-Fairchild proved to be a transformative event. This annual gathering aimed to provide comprehensive training and support to the unsung heroes of school cafeterias, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to deliver exceptional dining experiences for students across the region.

Elevating School Meal Quality and Nutrition

Comprehensive Training for Food Service Professionals

The Central Wisconsin Small School Co-op Summer Workshop offered a diverse array of educational sessions, catering to the unique needs and responsibilities of food service directors, cooks, and servers. These comprehensive training modules covered a wide range of topics, including food safety, food production, and first aid, equipping attendees with the expertise to navigate the complexities of school food service."We do a variety of different things for the schools," explained Jonell Bennin, the Osseo-Fairchild Food Services Director and the event's organizer. "Different learning...cooks, directors, anyone in between learn different things so they can kind of have an idea what they're getting into this year."

Exploring Innovative Meal Options

In addition to the educational sessions, the workshop provided attendees with the opportunity to sample new food options courtesy of Indianhead Food Distribution. This hands-on experience allowed food service professionals to explore the latest trends in whole grains, nutritional values, and potential menu items for the upcoming school year."The whole grains and the nutritional values that we can all try out as a group and see if maybe this would work on our upcoming menus," shared Michael Rasmussen, the Fall Creek Food Services Director, highlighting the value of this collaborative tasting experience.

Empowering School Districts with Expertise

The primary goal of the Central Wisconsin Small School Co-op Summer Workshop was to equip school food service staff with the training and expertise they need to bring back to their respective school districts. By providing a comprehensive learning environment, the event aimed to ensure that these dedicated professionals are well-prepared to deliver exceptional dining experiences for students in the season ahead.The workshop's focus on continuous improvement and professional development underscores the vital role that school food service workers play in shaping the overall well-being and academic success of students. By investing in the growth and empowerment of these individuals, the Central Wisconsin Small School Co-op is paving the way for healthier, more nourishing school meals that support the holistic development of young learners.