Inside The CUSD Bakery

Inside the Chico Unified Bakery Rising to the Occasion

Falling leaves, fragrant pumpkin spice lattes, and cinnamon candles leave us hungry for holiday activities with the kids. Scrolling through Pinterest or flipping through market magazines, I was overwhelmed by the options. I could literally envision my children bouncing around the house on an extreme sugar rush - not the quality activity I was seeking. I wanted a healthy snack that I could make with my children, so I turned to the Chico Unified School District’s Nutrition Services Team for ideas. Parents may be surprised to learn that the Chico Unified Nutrition Team operates an entire bakery. During a typical year, three professional bakers produce cookies, muffins, cinnamon rolls, taco pockets, bread rolls, pizza dough, and turkey pot pies from scratch! Their team of foodloving experts was honored two years in a row from FRESHMeals@Schools as one of 13 school districts with the healthiest menu. The Nutrition Team typically serves approximately 3,500 breakfasts, 6,500 lunches, and 1,000 suppers each day! In the last five years, the Chico Unified Nutrition Team has made an effort to partner with local vendors to use local fruits, vegetables, proteins, and dairy products. They collaborated with Chico High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) student organization to help create

Henshaw Farm. Henshaw Farm is a premier location for finding perfect October pumpkins, but did you know Chico High FFA students grow watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and cranberry beans for the Nutrition Services food program? The Chico High FFA students are growing food that’s used to feed other students on campus!

Let’s face it, being confined in a small space with children is enough to drive even the most patient parent a little stir crazy. The Chico Unified Nutrition Services Team shared three snack ideas that will add a little festivity into your kitchen - and they are all kid-approved!

Providing Free Meals for Kids

The Chico Unified Nutrition Services Team operates a Free Meal program for children 18 years and younger. This program typically runs when students are not on campus (such as in the summer and during online learning). The staff provides free breakfast and lunch to ANY child who visits a meal location. Learn more by visiting www.chicousd.org.

NOVEMBER Turkey Fruit Plate

Ingredients Needed:

• Navel orange, peeled and divided into slices. • Pear halved lengthwise • Apple, cut into slices • Mini chocolate chips • Cashews • Raisin, cut in half

Instructions:

1. First, wash and cut your fruit. 2. On a plate, place the half of pear and lay the orange and apple slices arched around the top. Position the mini chocolate chips at the top of the pear as the eyes of the turkey. Then press the cashew into the pear below the eyes to project out as the beak. Place the half of the raisin next to the cashew as the turkey gobble. Break a cashew in half and add to the bottom as feet. 3. Enjoy!

DECEMBER Grinch Kabobs

Ingredients Needed:

• Mini marshmallows • Strawberries, tops sliced off • Banana, peeled and sliced into coins • Green grapes • Sprinkles • Toothpicks

Instructions:

1. First, wash and cut your fruit. 2. On each toothpick, assemble your kabob as follows: one mini banana coin slice, and one green grape. Use a toothpick to poke two holes in the grape and place a sprinkle in each for eyes. 3. Enjoy!

Ingredients Needed:

• Pretzel sticks • Banana, peeled and sliced into coins • Mini chocolate chips • Sprinkles • Wooden coffee stirrers

Instructions:

1. First, wash and cut your fruit. On each toothpick, place 3 banana coins stacked on top of each other. 2. Place one mini chocolate chip on each banana for buttons. On the top banana coin, place 2 mini chocolate chips for eyes. Place an orange marshmallow, one strawberry, one

sprinkle below the eyes for a nose and a brown sprinkle for a smile! 3. Enjoy!