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LOMPOC - There is a myth that schools can't afford to serve healthy food, but the answer may be in the math.
Schools are learning to serve healthy food and survive the school budget crunch.
Consultant and Chef Kate Adamick is working with Central Coast schools using her lesson plan called 'Cook For America'.
She is having great success teaching schools to make the numbers work in their favor.
She tells schools to cut those these tiny packets of mayonnaise, ketchup and relish. Kids take too many most go in the trash. Condiments in squeeze bottles can be a big savings.
Schools get free commodity meats from the government. Food service workers can cook it themselves instead of paying to have it processed.
Chef Kate also encourages schools to save the sweet treats for celebrations. Dessert is expensive and most children don't need the extra sugar.
Breakfast is the best meal of the day. When it is served in class it can be the best money maker for schools because reimbursement rates are so good.
Consultant Chef Kate says we can pay now or pay later. "If we don't find the money in our budgets to pay for healthy food now children are going to pay with their lives!"
She is coming out with a new book next year... called "Lunch Money: Serving Healthy Food in a Sick Economy."
Chef Kate is a consultant. Schools hire her to do the math. The s'Cool Food Initiative, part of the Orfalea Foundations, brought her to our Central Coast schools.
To read more about the great work Chef Kate is doing you can go to www.CookForAmerica.com
