MPUSD Jenn Gerard heads to the Center for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley

Jennifer Gerard, described as a "food innovator" for the changes she implemented at the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, has been named program director for the California Food for California Kids initiative at Center for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley.

“Jenn Gerard has been one of the most creative and committed school food service directors in California and a leader in transforming school meals by serving healthy, freshly prepared meals made with California-grown ingredients,” said Zenobia Barlow, executive director of Center for Ecoliteracy. “She even developed unprecedented partnerships with local fishermen to incorporate Monterey Bay’s bounty into school nutrition programs. I know she will be able to grow the California Food for California Kids initiative to reach more children and more schools.”

While in Monterey, Gerard oversaw a transition to fresh meal preparation, salad bars and staff development, and launched a culinary program at Seaside High School that collaborates with Nutrition Services to develop, test and market new recipes. She earned the California Center for California Kids Innovation Award for her work in raising the quality of meals and connecting the classroom to the cafeteria.

 “I am honored to have the opportunity to devote myself to expanding California kids’ access to healthy, delicious locally sourced food,” Gerard said in a statement. “Together, we’re accomplishing an amazing feat: remaking an entire industry to better serve our children and farmers, fishers and producers.”

So long, Jenn. It was fun to work with you. Much luck in your future endeavors.

Jennifer Gerard gets award for food program at MPUSD

Jennifer Gerard, nutrition chief at Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, just received a 2015 California Food for California Kids Innovation Award for the program “Bay2Tray” local seafood procurement program.

The epicurean, whose programs and ideas we've extensively covered at the Herald, worked with local fishers to identify a new protein source: Grenadier, a by-catch that is usually discarded. This light and flaky fish made its way into the lunchroom in various forms: fish tacos, a chipotle-fish and cilantro-lime rice bowl, and fresh fish & chips. Students are responding enthusiastically, according to the Center for Ecoliteracy, which bestowed the award.

“We are privileged to honor the great work of entrepreneurial leaders like Jennifer Gerard,” Zenobia Barlow, executive director of the Center for Ecoliteracy, said in a statement. “And, thanks to the California Thursdays network, these innovative ideas are ‘catching.”

The idea for Bay2Tray began when Gerard noticed something problematic in her district. The students looked out over the Monterey Bay each day and then went back to the cafeteria for lunch to eat frozen fish sticks from who knows where. “It's a disservice to our fishing community,” Gerard says.

The California Food for California Kids Awards was presented to five school districts at a ceremonial dinner in San Diego. No word if they awardees were served grenadier.

Apply for reduced-price meals, enter a raffle for a bike at MPUSD

In an effort to reach more families, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District will host a "Food and Fuel Round-Up" to help them apply for their student's bus pass and to submit an application for free or reduced-price meals, in advance of school starting. Families who apply during the Round Up will be entered to win one of several Huffy bikes.

Parents and/or guardians may complete applications for a bus pass and/or free/reduced-price meals on the following dates, times and locations:

July 23, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Seaside Middle School, 999 Coe Avenue, Seaside
July 28,  9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Instructional Materials Center, 540 Canyon Del Rey, Del Rey Oaks
July 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,  Instructional Materials Center, 540 Canyon Del Rey, Del Rey Oaks
July 30,  9 a.m. to 1 p.m., District Office,  700 Pacific Street, Monterey

Families applying for bus passes applications need to  bring proof of income (e.g., pay stub) and proof of residency (e.g., property tax bill, rental agreement, utility bill, etc.)

Participation in the "Food & Fuel Round-Up" allows the district to process applications sooner which in turn will help students receive meal benefits in the most timely manner.

Monterey County young journalists: write about food, win a prize

Enter the first "Healthy and Sustainable School Food Journalism Awards."

Students ages 13 to 18 from all over the country have until Feb. 28 to enter a story about their cafeteria food in an attempt to create a healthy food movement in schools.

“High school journalism classes and school newspapers are the incubators for tomorrow’s great journalists," Michael Pollan, the contest’s judge and food writer said in a statement. “This contest is designed to help those young thought leaders hone their investigative journalism skills and get their peers engaged on a critical issue affecting their own well-being and that of the environment.”

To enter the contest, students need to submit articles that focus on the benefits of healthy and sustainable school food, and what schools are doing to promote healthy eating habits.

The winner will receive $1,500. Second prize will be $1,000. Third prize will be $500, and three fourth prize winners will each receive $300. Teachers supervising the winners will receive a prize of $200.

Winners will be announced on or around Earth Day, April 22, 2013.

To learn more about the Healthy and Sustainable School Food Journalism Awards, click here.