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

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

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
FOR SCHOOLS

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
Press Room
Press Releases

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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Donate
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Our Supporters
The Lunch Box
School Food Institute
Salad Bars To Schools
SCALE
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The Lunch Box
School Food Institute
Salad Bars To Schools
SCALE
Apply for a grant
Blog

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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
FOR SCHOOLS

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 School Food Specialist Pre-Apprenticeship

Our School Food Specialist Pre-Apprenticeship offers Virginia residents an entry point to a career in healthy, scratch-cooked K–12 school food. The program is also for current school food employees who want to gain new skills.

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

  • October 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship: Apply by September 21, 2025
  • November 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship: Apply by October 19, 2025
Apply today!

Virginia School Food Specialist Pre-Apprenticeship

Our School Food Specialist Pre-Apprenticeship offers Virginia residents an entry point to a career in healthy, scratch-cooked K–12 school food. The program is also for current school food employees who want to gain new skills.

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

  • October 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship: Apply by September 21, 2025
  • November 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship: Apply by October 19, 2025
Apply today!

Overview

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

The three-week Pre-Apprenticeship will be offered monthly in October and November at Prince Edward County Public Schools, Fauquier County Public Schools, Amherst 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.

Overview

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

The three-week Pre-Apprenticeship will be offered monthly in October and November at Prince Edward County Public Schools, Fauquier County Public Schools, Amherst 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.

Program Components

The program includes:

  • 2 online courses through Chef Ann Foundation’s School Food Institute: 10 hours
  • ServSafe® Food Handler Certification: 3 hours
  • 1 virtual learning session: 1.5 hours
  • Hands-on culinary experience at a local K-12 division: 12 hours
  • Compensation: $325

Program Timelines

Our program application is now open!

October 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship

  • Application close date: September 21, 2025
  • Interviews completed: September 25, 2025
  • Onboarding: September 29 - October 3, 2025
  • Program begins: October 6, 2025
  • Program ends: October 24, 2025

November 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship

  • Application close date: October 19, 2025
  • Interviews completed: October 23, 2025
  • Onboarding: October 27-31, 2025
  • Program begins: November 3, 2025
  • Program ends: November 21, 2025

Program Timelines

Our program application is now open!

October 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship

  • Application close date: September 21, 2025
  • Interviews completed: September 25, 2025
  • Onboarding: September 29 - October 3, 2025
  • Program begins: October 6, 2025
  • Program ends: October 24, 2025

November 2025 Pre-Apprenticeship

  • Application close date: October 19, 2025
  • Interviews completed: October 23, 2025
  • Onboarding: October 27-31, 2025
  • Program begins: November 3, 2025
  • Program ends: November 21, 2025

Participating School Divisions

The following K-12 school divisions are Pre-Apprenticeship host sites. 
Amherst County Public Schools Fauquier County Public Schools Prince Edward County Public Schools Stafford County Public Schools Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Advisory Committee Members

  • 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

Funders

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