Central Kitchen Case Study: Community Engagement
Case study quick links: intro & planning, benefits, design & construction, menu & procurement, staffing, and community engagement (current page).
Community is Key
The success of the School Food Project (SFP) and fact that the FSD has been able to build the Culinary Center is due in large to the commitment of the community of Boulder. It’s difficult to put a price on the value of community building.
Central Kitchen Case Study: Community Engagement
Case study quick links: intro & planning, benefits, design & construction, menu & procurement, staffing, and community engagement (current page).
Community is Key
The success of the School Food Project (SFP) and fact that the FSD has been able to build the Culinary Center is due in large to the commitment of the community of Boulder. It’s difficult to put a price on the value of community building.
Family Engagement
From the beginning, families were key in their commitment to support the program by having their kids eat the “hot lunch” at school instead of packed lunches from home. Cooper took every opportunity to interface with parents at PTO meetings, locating funding sponsors to enable parents to come to school and try the food, emailing daily with parents, as well as annual surveys and letters.
The parents weren’t always “on board” ⎼ supporting and wanting gluten free options and antibiotic- and hormone-free meats, but also wanting cupcakes at class parties. But Director Cooper has shown her passion for kids’ health. Through her commitment, consistent messaging, and the performance of the FSD team at 51 schools, most nay-sayers became supporters.
Family Engagement
From the beginning, families were key in their commitment to support the program by having their kids eat the “hot lunch” at school instead of packed lunches from home. Cooper took every opportunity to interface with parents at PTO meetings, locating funding sponsors to enable parents to come to school and try the food, emailing daily with parents, as well as annual surveys and letters.
The parents weren’t always “on board” ⎼ supporting and wanting gluten free options and antibiotic- and hormone-free meats, but also wanting cupcakes at class parties. But Director Cooper has shown her passion for kids’ health. Through her commitment, consistent messaging, and the performance of the FSD team at 51 schools, most nay-sayers became supporters.
The community believes in the school food team, and that support has led to the next step, the Culinary Center.
The community believes in the school food team, and that support has led to the next step, the Culinary Center.
School Principal Engagement
School Principal relationships with the FSD were transformed under the SFP; transitioning from “managing the FSD cashiers” to becoming champions for a program that uses a systemic approach to ensure every student at every school site has the same experience in the cafeterias. Principals support Rainbow Days, school gardens and Iron Chef competitions, recognizing the connection between learning, food literacy, and wellness.
Left: Students compete in an Iron Chef competition
School Principal Engagement
School Principal relationships with the FSD were transformed under the SFP; transitioning from “managing the FSD cashiers” to becoming champions for a program that uses a systemic approach to ensure every student at every school site has the same experience in the cafeterias. Principals support Rainbow Days, school gardens and Iron Chef competitions, recognizing the connection between learning, food literacy, and wellness.
Left: Students compete in an Iron Chef competition
Partnerships with Farmers and Local Businesses
- Tamales from La Casita
- Pot stickers from Sisters Pantry
- Colorado Tortilla Company
- Connections to local farmers and program promotion from Boulder County Farmers Markets
- Educational trips for the FSD team at Ollin Farms
- Hormone- and antibiotic-free beef and chicken from Legacy Meats and Colorado Native
- Moe’s Bagels in the breakfast program
- Whole Foods Market
- Lucky’s Market
Partnerships with Farmers and Local Businesses
- Tamales from La Casita
- Pot stickers from Sisters Pantry
- Colorado Tortilla Company
- Connections to local farmers and program promotion from Boulder County Farmers Markets
- Educational trips for the FSD team at Ollin Farms
- Hormone- and antibiotic-free beef and chicken from Legacy Meats and Colorado Native
- Moe’s Bagels in the breakfast program
- Whole Foods Market
- Lucky’s Market
