LIBERTY – Food service professionals from throughout Sullivan County gathered last week for a two-day conference at the Michael Ritchie Big Barn, where they heard the message of the power of food from The Center for Discovery’s Department of Nourishment Arts, were certified in Serv Safe by SUNY Sullivan and participated in hands on food preparation led by Lennox Hill Teaching Kitchen. 

The conference was presented by the School Nutrition Action Coalition, a network of organizations and Sullivan County schools working together to bring 2 free, healthy, plant slant meals for every student, every day in Sullivan County schools. 

Food service staff engaged in discussions and hands on learning exploring how by cooking from scratch (with whole, fresh ingredients), school food programs can provide delicious, nutritious meals for students.

“School breakfast and lunch are so important to the physical health and learning of our students. The idea of this conference was to inspire scratch cooking and offer resources to support that goal,” said Sullivan 180 CEO Denise Frangipane. 

“We are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals working in our schools. Several people said how much they appreciate the time together and the hands-on experience. The School Nutrition Action Coalition is here to support their work.”

Attendees experimented with healthy, plant slant lunch items and enjoyed meals and great conversation against the backdrop of Thanksgiving Farm. 

“A Single Bite + the Catskills Food Hub was happy to curate the lunch prepared by the Neversink General Store,” said Audrey Garro, Executive Director of A Single Bite. 

“Many of the items used throughout the conference were sourced from our own local farms including Burns Farm, Somewhere in Time, Sprouting Dreams and the Center’s Thanksgiving Farm. The items are reflective of the produce A Single Bite + Catskills Food Hub will be sourcing for Sullivan County school cafeterias.”

“Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County is so pleased with the conference turnout and our partnership with Sullivan 180, SNAC, school food service professionals, and Sullivan County’s rich agricultural sector,” said Melinda Meddaugh, CCE Sullivan Ag & Food Systems Issue Leader. 

“Working to bring fresh, healthy foods to our kids is just one way to keep local dollars circulating in our home community, while promoting healthy outcomes for young people where they’re at. We look forward to continuing the work together.”

“We are so pleased that so many food service staff from across the county came out to learn more about farm to school and scratch cooking from the Lenox Hill Teaching Kitchen,” said Katie Sheehan-Lopez, Regional Farm to School Coordinator. 

“School districts in Sullivan County have made so much progress in getting foods from local farms onto students’ trays. We are looking forward to seeing more exciting foods on school lunch menus this school year.”

Sullivan 180 is facilitating the School Nutrition Action Coalition with support from a USDA grant. The Coalition includes leadership from: A Single Bite + the Catskills Food Hub; CCE Sullivan; Harvest New York; Sullivan BOCES; Sullivan 180; SUNY Sullivan; The Center for Discovery, Fallsburg, Liberty, Livingston Manor, Monticello, Roscoe and Sullivan West school districts. 

To learn more please contact Sullivan 180 at 845.295.2680.