Chester-Andover food services highlight fresh and local

The first month went very well this year. The children at Chester-Andover Elementary are excited to be back in school. Food service staff have returned, and are ready to go. Returning this school year is our cook Mary Spaulding. Our new hire this year is Alan Farrar. Alan will be our kitchen assistant working with the salad bar, sandwiches and serving the main meal and cleanup.

Linda Carroll is also back to work in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, where we offer free fruit and vegetables during non mealtime hours like morning snack time. Linda also helps serve the main meal of the day.

We serve a great breakfast everyday and the kids really pile in. Breakfast is such an important part of their day. We serve items such as homemade whole wheat French toast with Vermont maple syrup, fresh baked blueberry muffins, pancakes with Vermont maple syrup, and assorted cereals. Fresh fruit is offered every day.

Our lunch service is also doing very well. We offer a hot item each day as well as assorted sandwiches for those children who opt out of the hot meal. All meals include a trip to our fresh fruit and vegetable bar which includes many local items. We purchase locally as much as we can. Every month we participate in the Farm to School program Harvest of The Month.

We have a taste testing for the current harvest of the month during lunch time. The kids love it. This gives them the opportunity to not only see new items, but also to try them.

Once again this year, as every year, we encourage all parents to submit an application for free or reduced meals. You may think you will not qualify but to be sure everyone should apply. There is a great deal of federal funding that hinges on our free and reduced numbers. By qualifying, you are in fact assisting the community with funding our schools.

Our point of sale program not only allows parents to access their child’s account on line, it also allows on line payments. Simply go to mymealtime.com and open your account. Please be advised we do not allow charging of meals. You can pay on-line, pay cash, or send a check to the school. Please make checks payable to CAES Food Services.

As always if you have any questions please contact me or our kitchen at 875-6850 or at jack.carroll@trsu.org.
Sincerely,
Jack Carroll and staff
Food Services
Chester-Andover Elementary School