The Pilot

Chef Ann Foundation designed the first-ever federally registered apprenticeship programs and workforce learning series for scratch-cooked school food operators, known as the Healthy School Food Pathway (HSFP) Program. HSFP is being implemented as a three-year pilot program, with the Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship partnering with California Community Colleges, and a national Fellowship to encourage workforce development for healthy school food operators at all career levels.

California became one of the first states in the country to enact universal school meals. In the same budget, the state chose to make significant investments through farm to school grants, school kitchen infrastructure upgrades, climate smart agriculture, workforce development, and many other areas of innovation. School food leaders are a critical link in realizing the potential of these investments.

The Healthy School Food Pathway program supports workforce readiness to expand the pipeline for the next generation of school food leaders. From entry-level positions through school food management, these professionals will impact millions of children with greater access to fresh, healthy food. Across 1,037 California public school districts, skilled culinary professionals will support transformative change from within the school food system.

As we continue to grow the California program, with important funding from Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature, CAF is also working to expand to other states. Check back for future opportunities and subscribe here to receive program updates.

Pre-Apprenticeship

The Healthy School Food Pathway program is excited to welcome its second cohort of pre-apprentices in Fall 2022. Pre-Apprentices will be paid $15/hr for the on-the-job-learning (Subject to change based on county minimum wage.)

The program lasts 7 weeks and includes:

• 4 School Food Institute courses: 20 hours (4 hours pre-read, 4 hours homework, 12 hours online learning)
• 2 virtual learning sessions: 3 hours (2 sessions, 1.5 hours each)
• On-the-job learning: 84 hours (12 hours a week)

We are now accepting applications until September 9th with a program start date of October 17th. (Available to CA residents only in 2022.)

Apprenticeship

The Healthy School Food Pathway program is excited to welcome its first cohort of apprentices in Fall 2022. Please note that you must complete the pre-apprenticeship to join the apprenticeship. If you fit the requirements, please reach out to the Chef Ann Foundation. Pre-Apprentices will be paid $16/hr for the on-the-job-learning (Subject to change based on county minimum wage). Available to CA residents only in 2022.

The program will be over one school year (~9 months) and include:

• 7 School Food Institute courses: 35 hours (7 hours pre-read, 7 hours homework, 21 hours online learning)

• Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) Courses: 64 hours

• 18 virtual learning sessions: 45 hours (1 hour pre-read, 1 hour session, 0.5 hours homework)

• On-the-job learning: 24 hours a week

Fellowship

The HSFP Fellowship Program will develop the next generation of diverse leaders in scratch-cook school food operations that can support a sustainable program and drive school food reform. Over a 12-month period, operators will grow their skills, knowledge and abilities through live, virtual learning sessions; in-person site visits and training; asynchronous, self-led instruction; and engagement within their own districts to implement their new ideas. Fellows will graduate from the program empowered to operate successful self-run, scratch-cook meal programs and advocate for serving fresh and healthy meals to students. If you have an interest in advancing your career in school food service leadership, the Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship is the program for you. (Available to operators working under the National School Lunch Program anywhere in the U.S.)

COMING SOON

Application opens September 2022