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Cafeteria

Backpack Program

 

What is the Backpack Program?

A confidential program that provides a “backpack” of non-perishable, kid-friendly and nutritious food for a child each Friday afternoon to eat over the weekend. The program is a partnership between Genesee Valley Central School and Foodlink, the regional food bank in Rochester.

How is the food delivered?

Food will be delivered weekly on the Friday afternoon bus run.

Who is Eligible?

Any student at Genesee Valley who has a need.

How do I sign up?

Simply complete the permission slip and return it to Tammy Gleason, Backpack Program Site Coordinator, at tgleason@genvalley.org.

Permission Slip for the Backpack Program

Cornell Cooperative Extension Partnership

 

Farm to School

Genesee Valley Central School's cafeteria proudly participates in Farm-to-School programming.

Farm to school programs in K-12 schools engage young people in hands-on learning and empower school nutrition professionals to source and promote healthy, local food for school meal programs, all while strengthening connections with local farms and food producers to support local agriculture and promote regional food systems awareness.

At Genesee Valley Central School, we aim to procure and promote local foods, foster the school garden, and engage students in agriculture, food, health, and nutrition education by participating in multiple initiatives including Harvest of the Month and NY Thursdays. 

Harvest of the Month

Harvest of the Month promotes a different locally grown (New York State) food every month in the cafeteria and classroom through signage and educational materials, lessons and activities, as well as taste testing opportunities and having the item served at lunch throughout the month. 

New York Thursdays

NY Thursdays brings farm-fresh New York State foods to our cafeteria on one Thursday a month throughout the school year by featuring a menu made entirely from New York State ingredients.

Action for Healthy Kids: Healthy Meals Incentives for Schools Grants for Small and/or Rural School Food Authorities (HMI) 

HMI grants are intended to help small and/or rural School Food Authorities (SFAs) improve the nutritional quality of their school meals. Genesee Valley Central School was awarded funding for a two-year project through Action for Healthy Kids for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years in support of in improving the nutritional quality of their meals and modernizing their operations, through efforts which include:

  • Strengthen Farm to School activities;
  • Engage students in local menu-planning efforts like taste testing and nutrition education activities;
  • Feature more local agricultural products;
  • Incorporate scratch-prepared menu items into breakfast and lunch weekly meal plans;
  • Implement innovative practices in nutrition education.
  • Innovative staff training programs;
  • Kitchen updates and renovations;
  • Redesigning food preparation and service spaces;
  • Other school-district led efforts to support school meals and school nutrition professionals.

Questions?

Contact Alyssa Dean at ald243@cornell.edu