Today is Earth Day and I think about how often we take this planet's natural resources for granted. This rang true during the recent "boil advisory" water situation at several schools earlier in the week. A big shout out to Debbie Johnson at BFM, Shannon Butler at CEN, Jackie Schutz at HEAVILIN, Melissa Sabin at MEM and Ian Fortney at PARKVIEW. These Managers quickly attended a special safety planning meeting and went to work setting up temporary handwashing stations, mixing chlorinated sanitizer and changed out their menus. All within just hours after being notified of the water main break. Despite being a stressful situation, it was so reassuring to visit these locations and see how these true professionals had everything under control as they were feeding and safeguarding the health of their students. I brought back some great ideas to share, too! We might not catch a break very often, but I do know that there is no other group I'd rather spend an emergency with.

With gratitude,

Kathy

One way we are honoring Earth Day is by developing a "plant forward" breakfast recipe. Our "Impossible Breakfast Sandwich" will feature a plant based Impossible Sausage Patty with cheese on an English Muffin. The sausage is really, really good. Research shows that using plant based protein is better for the environment because it requires less processing, less land, less energy input, and less water. Have you considered going meatless for one meal per week?

USDA has a new and *pretty cool* app to easily look up recommended storage periods for almost any food. You can check it out at the link below to see how it works. The FoodKeeper App helps you understand food and beverages storage. It will help you maximize the freshness and quality of items. By doing so you will be able to keep items fresh longer than if they were not stored properly. It was developed by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, with Cornell University and the Food Marketing Institute. It is also available as a mobile application for Android and Apple devices. Search either the Apple or Android app store for USDA Foodkeeper.

Check out pages 43-44 to see the NSBW photos from across the country. Cooks and TJM made the final cut! Click here:

https://editions.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=21033&i=743010&p=44&ver=html5

If you are interested in working over the summer, please sign up using the form below or getting a copy of the form from our office. We are operating meal service at TJE, TJM and VHS for summer school sessions 1 and 2 (June 1 - July 29). There will be no meal service July 4-8. This is traditional summer food service with meals served in the cafeteria, no curbside or bulk meal pickup. Employees get paid their regular hourly pay.

Any permanent employee (including substitutes) interested in any of these positions can apply by emailing a brief letter of interest to Kathy Kane, Director at kkane@valpo.k12.in.us.

Non-employees can apply by completing an online application as an External Applicant here: https://www.applitrack.com/valpo/onlineapp/

FS Tech, Cooks Corners, 3.5 hours

FS Tech, Cooks Corners, 5.5 hours

FS Manager, Parkview, 6 hours *NEW beginning 2022-23*

FS Tech, Parkview, 4.5 hours

FS Tech, BF, 4.5 hours

FS Tech, TJM, 4 hours

FS Tech, Heavilin, 4 hours

FS Tech, Heavilin, 4 hours

Satellite Manager, VHS, 7 hours *NEW beginning 2022-23*

FS Tech, VHS, 5.5 hours

FS Tech, VHS, 4 hours

May 3, 2022 eLearning Day (Regular Work Day)

May 3, 2022 ServSafe Certification Class

May 6, 2022 School Lunch Hero Day

May 16, 2022 Weather Make Up Day (Regular Work Day)

May 26, 2022 Half Day for K-12 (Regular Work Day)

May 27, 2022 Close Down Kitchens (Last Regular Work Day)

June 2-21, 2022 Summer School Session 1

July 11-28, 2022 Summer School Session 2

August 8, 2022 Back to School Workshop (mandatory)

August 9, 2022 Open Kitchens (regular work day)

August 10, 2022 First Day of School

Past issues of Friday Focus are posted on our department website on the Staff Training page here:

https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1221036&type=d&pREC_ID=1455849

Our mission is to support academic and lifelong success by nourishing students and building healthy eating habits.

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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValpoSchoolFood
Twitter: @ValpoSchoolFood