I had a *Back To School* mixer for the returning and new employees of the Williams Unified School District at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. This was the first opportunity I've had to look at the 3 kitchens I'll be substituting in and meeting the staff I'll be working with. The truth is the mixer was like *old home week*. I knew almost everyone there. I sold homes for or to most of the staff. I think more than a handful of people were very surprised to see I was now cooking for the school. Most folks know I don't need to work outside of the home. People that have taken the time and energy (yep...takes lots of energy) to KNOW me, understand why I do enjoy working...and why I have had such a diverse collection of careers...I think I've shared before I'm a quick-study and very easily bored. I'm also one of those rare people that get a bug up their butt and then jumps in feet first. And speaking of feet: MINE ARE KILLING ME!!!!
The job is a challenge, no instruction, on my feet the entire time, very short on staff and I don't know the 2 women I'm working with: I know the staff at the other two kitchens. I'm substituting for 3 weeks out at the elementary school. I'm working with kindergarten, first, second and third graders. I was kinda' thrown in with a *sink or swim* attitude...and so far, I'm treading water, but haven't drown yet. I have not made any screw-ups...there's really no cooking involved...it's open a big box of prepared-prepackaged food...put on a huge tray...heat in the ovens...take out...put on a styro (yuck) partitioned student tray...make sure the kiddies have milk (regular, chocolate or strawberry...icky)...rush them through like cattle and then rush them back out to class...go pee and hurry up cause here comes the next batch of kids...after everyone is fed...clean up the kitchen, sweep, then mop yourself out the door. Time in: 7:30 a.m. time out: 1:00 p.m. I have a mandatory 30 minute break at 9:00 a.m. We feed about 240 kids at breakfast and 480 kids at lunch. Then we feed the teachers, janitors and 6 kids in a middle school continuation school program.
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The End Of Day One: Foot Soak, Foot Gel Inserts, Ace Knee Brace and Support Knee Highs!! (don't you love my tub...those slate tiles have fossils imbedded in them) |
9 comments:
You read so much about how they're trying to make school lunches healthier......they could start by making them less "processed".
:(
You're one tough cookie Linda. Thanks for the insight from the "lunch lady" perspective.
The funny thing would be if you had reported that your chickens turned up their "noses" at the processed crap and wouldn't eat it.
Sue: I think the schools are stuck in a Catch-22...short on funds and it takes more time and staff to prepare fresh from scratch. The new goals for the school lunch program is to buy local and fresh...it's just getting the money to do it. I think if they took into account all of the waste it would pencil out.
Tami: My ladies did walk around the new *food* and take a few sample pecks before they started gobbling everything up with gusto! Hell, what do they know: they're chickens!!
This will be a great experience for you! Always go through an open door...
I just attended a panel discussion with some Farmers from our Santa Monica Farmers Market and some local chefs and I learned that LAUSD is working out an arrangement with some of our vendors to purchase local veggies to incorporate into our school lunches. Watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution has also put focus on that catch 22 of the school districts. Unfortunately, processed food is so much cheaper. We go really go off on the whys of this!
Pat: We've engaged with one of my vendor's at my Farmers Market and she supplies the school with stone fruit. It will take awhile, but I think a 50% engagement with the local farmers would be do-able if we make the effort...and I plan on making the effort.
That's terrible about the styrofoam. You'd think a school would be more in tune with environmental issues.
And I love your tub! :)
At the high school I work at, their school lunch program was set up, served, packed up and cleaned in about 45 minutes. It's heated up elsewhere, and they have very little time to do anything special. They used to have a baker in the main kitchen, but that is sent out now. Sad.
~~Lori
At our high school most students go off campus. Heck I go home for good food. The cafeteria crew tries, but to little avail unfortunately.
Feet. Your feet pictures remind me of how the body needs to gets used to teaching again.
Steve in Central CA
I have a feeling you're gonna try
to set things right?
I take my lunch to work everyday, not much fast food happening here!
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