Purpose/Objectives: This study reported food defense planning, training and best practices implemented in public schools in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Methods: An internet-administered survey was sent to 1,501 school food authorities or food service directors (FSDs) in public schools. Survey items…

Public education funding relies on revenues from a variety of sources, from local taxpayers to federal programs targeting students with specific needs. The vast sum of funding collected--in excess of $600 billion annually--often masks which entities fund the education of our nation's youth. Questions of funding adequacy and equity across school…

This study assessed implementation of food defense practices in public schools in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The first phase involved a qualitative multi-site case study: one-day visits were made to five school districts in the states of Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. A principal,…

It sounds tempting, especially in tough fiscal times: Hand over all the responsibility for food service management to a private company promising to provide nutritious and appetizing meals, keep up with increasingly complex regulations, and perhaps even make a profit. Privatization, or outsourcing, has worked well for some districts for years, but…

This article profiles Cashton (Wisconsin) Public Schools Superintendent Brad Saron. Saron has always had a passion for technology. He has brought his personal passion for technology to bear in his job as superintendent of the 584-student Cashton Public Schools. As a principal and then as superintendent, he introduced iPod Touches, iPads, wireless…

The consolidation of the key electric processing equipment from six kitchens into one central facility serving 14 schools has proven a successful step. It cuts down on time, labor, and costs, and at the same time allows for greater control throughout the entire system. (Author)

The authors of this article discuss wellness policies in relation to nutrition education. The article describes some of the most interesting national initiatives for engaging students in nutrition education and encouraging healthy eating. For example, programs such as the Vermont FEED program and the Burlington School Food Project involve students…

Conducted by the Wisconsin Nutrition Education and Training (NET) program, this study was designed to (1) assess public and private elementary school teachers' and public school food managers' nutrition knowledge, and (2) to ascertain their opinions on various topics related to nutrition education. The first section of the report provides…

Objectives of this state survey of school food service programs in Wisconsin public schools focused on (1) nutrition education in the schools, (2) students' food selection practices, (3) improving nutrition education and (4) increasing awareness of nutritional considerations. Four questionnaires were administered to stratified, randomly selected,…

This report documents a research project conducted to ascertain what specific occupational competencies are necessary for employees in the food service industry. Questionnaires were mailed to employers, in restaurants and hospitals and to graduates of high school and postsecondary food service programs. The respondents completed 316 position…

This resource manual contains criteria, prototype policies, procedure, and forms for establishing a comprehensive sanitation and safety program in Wisconsin public schools. The introduction contains a mission statement and a description of responsibilities for various state employees. The section on policy and procedure development outlines…

A project was conducted to determine the computer application competencies needed by a graduate of Wisconsin Vocational Technical Adult Education (VTAE) food service programs. Surveys were conducted of food service graduates and their employers as well as of major companies by the food service coordinators of the VTAE districts in the state; a…

Information on the background of the project from which this model was developed, and a brief project description are presented in the beginning section (eight pages) of this document. (The major objective of the project was to develop a statewide articulated food service curriculum model related to realistic employment competencies to be used in…

Project Career Exploration's overall purpose was designing and implementing a method of providing juniors and seniors in high school with career exploration opportunities relative to the occupational programs offered by the Waukesha County Technical Institute and other postsecondary institutions. Course outlines make up the body of the report,…