The Chef Ann Foundation promotes whole-ingredient, scratch cooking in schools. This approach enables schools to serve the healthiest, tastiest meals so that kids are well-fed and ready to learn.

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We’re dedicated to empowering schools nationwide with the tools, training, resources, and funding they need to serve meals. Browse through programs to learn more about our work and apply for a grant.

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Get Schools Cooking
Salad Bars to Schools
School Food Institute
The Lunch Box
Bulk Milk
Research & Evaluation
Healthy School Food Pathway
California Pre-Apprenticeship
Colorado Pre-Apprenticeship
Virginia Pre-Apprenticeship
National Fellowship
Specialized Programming
Policy & Advocacy

Since 2009, the Chef Ann Foundation has worked with schools to implement healthy school meal programs. Dive into the organization’s history and learn about our impact on school food reform over the years.

Visit Overview
Our Impact
Our History
Success Stories

Want to learn how you can create school food change? Our toolkit lays out how to approach your district and advocate for healthier food in your child’s school.

Visit Overview
Step 1: Get Educated
Step 2: Get Organized
Step 3: Get Support
Step 4: Take Action
Tools for Home

Learn more about school food with resources, home recipes, and press materials.

Visit Overview
Resource Library
Home Recipes
About School Food
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Everyone has a role to play in transforming school food. Your gift fuels this movement, helping ensure every child has access to healthy, nourishing meals at school. Join us in changing the way we feed our students.

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WHO WE ARE

The Chef Ann Foundation promotes whole-ingredient, scratch cooking in schools. This approach enables schools to serve the healthiest, tastiest meals so that kids are well-fed and ready to learn.

Visit Overview
Our Mission
Why School Food Matters
Founder Chef Ann
Our Team
Board of Directors
Financials & Annual Reports
Employment

WHAT WE DO

We’re dedicated to empowering schools nationwide with the tools, training, resources, and funding they need to serve meals. Browse through programs to learn more about our work and apply for a grant.

Visit Overview
Get Schools Cooking
Salad Bars to Schools
School Food Institute
The Lunch Box
Bulk Milk
Research & Evaluation
Healthy School Food Pathway
California Pre-Apprenticeship
Colorado Pre-Apprenticeship
Virginia Pre-Apprenticeship
National Fellowship
Specialized Programming
Policy & Advocacy

WHAT WE’VE DONE

Since 2009, the Chef Ann Foundation has worked with schools to implement healthy school meal programs. Dive into the organization’s history and learn about our impact on school food reform over the years.

Visit Overview
Our Impact
Our History
Success Stories

PARENT ADVOCACY TOOLKIT

Want to learn how you can create school food change? Our toolkit lays out how to approach your district and advocate for healthier food in your child’s school.

Visit Overview
Step 1: Get Educated
Step 2: Get Organized
Step 3: Get Support
Step 4: Take Action
Tools for Home

KNOWLEDGE CENTER

Learn more about school food with resources, home recipes, and press materials.

Visit Overview
Resource Library
Home Recipes
About School Food
Press Room
Press Releases

SUPPORT US

Everyone has a role to play in transforming school food. Your gift fuels this movement, helping ensure every child has access to healthy, nourishing meals at school. Join us in changing the way we feed our students.

Visit Overview
Donate
Ways to Give
Our Supporters
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Virginia Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship

Our Pre-Apprenticeship offers Virginia residents an entry point to a career in healthy, scratch-cooked K–12 school food. The program also offers current school food staff the chance to learn new techniques and bring fresh ideas to their kitchens. 

Ready to take the next step in your school food career? Our program application is now open!

  • March 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship: Apply by February 22, 2026
  • April 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship: Apply by March 23, 2026
Apply today!

Virginia Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship

Our Pre-Apprenticeship offers Virginia residents an entry point to a career in healthy, scratch-cooked K–12 school food. The program also offers current school food staff the chance to learn new techniques and bring fresh ideas to their kitchens. 

Ready to take the next step in your school food career? Our program application is now open!

  • March 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship: Apply by February 22, 2026
  • April 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship: Apply by March 23, 2026
Apply today!

Overview

The Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship will introduce participants to the opportunity for a mission-driven career in K-12 school food operations. Through this program, you will gain knowledge, professional development, and hands-on experience to prepare you to apply for and secure a job with a local school division.

The 3-week Pre-Apprenticeship will be offered in March and April at Amherst County Public Schools, Fauquier County Public Schools, Prince Edward County Public Schools, Stafford County Public Schools, and Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

The Pre-Apprenticeship culminates in a job interview with the host school division. School districts offer full- or part-time schedules from early morning to mid-afternoon. 

Overview

The Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship will introduce participants to the opportunity for a mission-driven career in K-12 school food operations. Through this program, you will gain knowledge, professional development, and hands-on experience to prepare you to apply for and secure a job with a local school division.

The 3-week Pre-Apprenticeship will be offered in March and April at Amherst County Public Schools, Fauquier County Public Schools, Prince Edward County Public Schools, Stafford County Public Schools, and Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

The Pre-Apprenticeship culminates in a job interview with the host school division. School districts offer full- or part-time schedules from early morning to mid-afternoon. 

Program Components

The Pre-Apprenticeship is a three-week program that includes:

  • 2 online courses through Chef Ann Foundation’s School Food Institute: 10 hours
    • School Food 101
    • Ingredients for Healthier Kids
  • ServSafe® Food Handler Certification: 3 hours
  • 1 virtual learning session: 1.5 hours
    • Why Scratch Cooking is So Important & How to Succeed in a School Food Workplace
  • Hands-on culinary experience at a local K-12 division: 12 hours
  • Compensation: $340

Pre-Apprentices also have the opportunity to work closely with Chef Ann Foundation staff, who provide personalized support every step of the way. If you have questions about the VA Pre-Apprenticeship, please email us at va.pathway@chefannfoundation.org.

Participants must be at least 16 years old and eligible to work in the U.S.

Program Timelines

Our program application is now open!

March 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship

  • Application close date: February 22, 2026
  • Interviews completed: February 25, 2026
  • Onboarding: March 2-6, 2026
  • Program begins: March 9, 2026
  • Program ends: March 27, 2026

April 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship

  • Application close date: March 23, 2026
  • Interviews completed: March 25, 2026
  • Onboarding: March 30 - April 3, 2026
  • Program begins: April 6, 2026
  • Program ends: April 24, 2026

Program Timelines

Our program application is now open!

March 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship

  • Application close date: February 22, 2026
  • Interviews completed: February 25, 2026
  • Onboarding: March 2-6, 2026
  • Program begins: March 9, 2026
  • Program ends: March 27, 2026

April 2026 Pre-Apprenticeship

  • Application close date: March 23, 2026
  • Interviews completed: March 25, 2026
  • Onboarding: March 30 - April 3, 2026
  • Program begins: April 6, 2026
  • Program ends: April 24, 2026

Participating School Divisions

The following K-12 school divisions are Pre-Apprenticeship host sites. If you’re interested in becoming a Pre-Apprentice but don’t see a participating host site near you, please email us at va.pathway@chefannfoundation.org. 
Amherst County Public Schools Fauquier County Public Schools Prince Edward County Public Schools Stafford County Public Schools Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Resources for Prospective Applicants

Interested in learning more? Check out this downloadable resource.

DOWNLOADS

Pre-Apprenticeship Flyer

File Type: PDF

Chef Ann Foundation will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices based on RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX (INCLUDING PREGNANCY AND GENDER IDENTITY), SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENETIC INFORMATION, OR BECAUSE THEY ARE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY OR A PERSON 40 YEARS OLD OR OLDER. Chef Ann Foundation will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30.

Virginia Healthy School Food Pathway Advisory Committee

Thank you to all of our advisory committee members and organizations for your participation and commitment to designing a Healthy School Food Pathway program that meets the needs of the Virginia community.

  • Dr. Sandy Curwood, School Nutrition Consultant
  • Bruce Davis, Prince Edward County Public Schools
  • Casey Dickinson, Chesterfield Public Schools
  • Clayton Duvall, Virginia Works
  • Anthony Fontes, Tidewater Community College
  • SueAnn Fox, Fauquier County Public Schools
  • Christopher Harriman, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
  • Aline Jackson-Diggs, Department of Aging and Rehabilitation
  • Lenah Nguyen, Carver Food Enterprise Center
  • Amy Richardson, Virginia Department of Education-School and Community Nutrition Programs
  • Bee Thorp, Virginia Department of Education-School and Community Nutrition Programs
  • Dr. Jason Williams, Virginia Community College System

Program Funders

Discover More

Healthy School Food Pathway

Healthy School Food Pathway (HSFP) program is a work-based learning experience that aims to prepare individuals for job opportunities in healthy, scratch-cook school food programs.

Learn More

School Food Institute

The School Food Institute gives school food service professionals and childhood nutrition advocates the in-depth training, operational skills, and strategic vision necessary to make school food fresh, healthy, and sustainable.

Learn More

The Lunch Box

The Lunch Box is an online resource that is dedicated to supporting school districts and food service teams in transitioning their food programs from relying on processed foods to incorporating scratch cooking and fresh ingredients.

Learn More

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