Local Food Dude: Notes from Chef Tim: NEW HAVEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATED CHEFS MOVE TO SCHOOLS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 2, 2011

Contact: Timothy Cipriano, (203) 946-8813 ext. 11 Cell – (203) 410-0831

timothy.cipriano@new-haven.k12.ct.us

NEW HAVEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATED CHEFS MOVE TO SCHOOLS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Brennan-Rogers School 2nd graders learned about Farmer’s Markets & Local Foods

NEW HAVEN, June 3, 2011— Today the three 2nd grade classes of Brennan-Rogers School were happy to host their favorite chef and special guests at their school. Chef Timothy Cipriano, Executive Director of Food Services for New Haven Public Schools was on hand to pass out special chef hats designed for the children. He also brought with him 2 special guests each with a special gift for the children.

Chef Tim surrounded by 2nd grade Chefs!

Marydale DeBor, founder of The Plow to Plate® program which originated in New Milford, CT is a consultant to health care and other community -based organizations, now living in New Haven has donated to each 2nd grade student a copy of Tractor Mac, Farmer’s Market Book by Billy Steers. The story was read to the students by Marydale who also spoke to the children about the importance of supporting local agriculture. Before she started to read she asked the room of 2nd graders how many have been to a farmer’s market and almost every child raised their hand. Marydale asked the children to keep their ears open but eyes closed during the story to imagine they were at the farmer’s market during the reading of the story.

Marydale Debor, seated above, reading Tractor Mac

Heather DeMaio of the HJ Heinz Company spoke to children about tomatoes and their many uses in a healthy diet; she then handed out packets of tomato seeds to the children so they could grow their own tomatoes at home. “What can you make from tomatoes” says Heather, the hands of the children went crazy “ketchup, tomato sauce, pizza, salad” were the responses. Heather empowered the children to create their own special recipes and share them with their families.

Heather DeMaio talking tomatoes

The event was to celebrate the First Anniversary of Chefs Move to Schools, a program that Chef Tim worked closely with the White House and USDA to develop. Chef Tim has adopted all the schools in New Haven partly because of his close connection of Executive Director of Food Services for the schools.

2nd grader with the book

“Chefs Move to Schools has been a fantastic program in our schools since it was kicked off on the south lawn of the White House June 4, 2011. The chefs working with us in our schools have embraced the program and the kids love meeting with and learning from the chefs.” Chef Timothy Cipriano, Executive Director of Food Services, “We have adapted our version to include additional components surrounding farm to school, school gardens and promoting and serving items from those component on our salad bars. Our program involves more than changing the food in the cafeteria, we strive to engage the children through reading and hands on activities and education. The 2nd grade teachers at Brennan-Rogers School have been working closely with the children; teaching them to eat the colors of the rainbow and growing food in buckets and a small school garden.

The Chefs Move to Schools program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), matches chefs with school districts to help schools improve health and nutrition that meet the schools’ dietary guidelines and budgets, while teaching young people about nutrition and making balanced and healthy choices. With more than 31 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participating in the National School Breakfast Program, good nutrition at school is more important than ever. http://www.letsmove.gov/chefs-move-schools