Minneapolis Public Schools Culinary & Wellness Services

01/17/2025

On Jan. 20 and Jan. 24, when school is not in session, children can eat free meals and snacks at many Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Hennepin County Library, and community sites. Children do not need to attend Minneapolis Public Schools to participate. Visit our website for details – and contact the site for specific hours and meal types. https://mpschools.org/community-sites

01/16/2025

We served up Minnesota's finest on this ! Check out this delicious, locally sourced meal.

01/15/2025

Have you ever wondered how the roundabout in your neighborhood contributes to traffic safety? Have you heard the term Safe Routes to School (SRTS) but you’re not sure what it means or who works on the projects? Have you seen the beautiful asphalt art median on 21st Ave and wondered how that got there? Wonder no longer!

To celebrate Winter Walk to School Day this year we will be holding a webinar on February 5 from 3-4pm. MPS’ GreenCorps member Annie Meyer will have a discussion with special guest Bria Fast, a transportation planner with City of Minneapolis Government Public Works and the City’s SRTS Manager to discuss SRTS efforts, traffic calming measures, community engagement, and more. Register to learn what the City of Minneapolis is doing to make our streets safer for all students to joyfully walk, bike, and roll to school. A recording of the meeting will be sent out after the fact to all those that registered. bit.ly/SRTS_webinar

01/14/2025

MPS Winter Wellness Week is coming up! bit.ly/MPSWellnessWeek

❄ Ask your school how they're celebrating and how you can help!
❄ What is a Wellness Policy? It guides efforts to promote student health, wellbeing and learning. Learn more bit.ly/MPS_wellness

01/13/2025

Kicking off 2025 with a great menu this week! We are excited for Bison Pozole made with Bison raised by Eichten's Bison, Pinto Pozole made with Pinto Beans grown by Askegaard Organic Farm, Watermelon Radishes to top your Pozole grown by Open Hands Farm, Tortilla Chips from Whole Grain Milling Company, and Winter Sweet Potato Cake - scratch made by MPS CWS. Don't miss this great meal on Thursday!

01/09/2025

The temperatures have dropped, and we here at CWS are excited for the winter season! Fall Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day was a huge success at the start of this school year, and we are looking to keep the ball (and our students!) rolling.

Celebrate Winter Walk to School Day on Wednesday, February 5 or on whatever day works for your school community. Register your school now on the MnDOT website to receive student incentives from both MnDOT and MPS. We can’t wait to see all the fun and creative ways you and your students will celebrate staying active this winter! https://mnsaferoutestoschool.org/news-events/winter-walk-to-school-day/

01/07/2025

The Minneapolis Public Schools - Local Harvest Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open!

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) is seeking proposals from small organizations and individuals wishing to provide locally grown produce, grains, beans, and other products for the School Nutrition program.

You can access the Local Harvest RFP document and fillable response form on the MPS Procurement page. Please scroll to the bottom of the Procurement page and look for RFP 25-13 CWS Local Harvest for all associated documents. mpschools.org/departments/finance/procurement

Please complete the mandatory Intention to Submit a Proposal form by January 10, at 4pm, if you plan to submit a Local Harvest proposal for the 2025-2026 school year. The link to the form can be found in the RFP document.

We look forward to seeing Intention to Submit forms come in!

01/06/2025

Thanks to our carrot farmers - Uzagen Organics, Open Hands Farm, and Driftless Organics. Farm to School carrot coins are featured on Minneapolis Public Schools salad bars this month! In our region, we are lucky to have great carrot farmers because carrots store well and we can serve them all through the winter.

01/02/2025

Happy New Year from Minneapolis Public Schools Culinary & Wellness Services! We're excited to welcome students and staff back to school on Monday, Jan. 6, with Bean & Cheese Pupusas with Curtido, and many more delicious meals throughout the month.

Find links to our menus at mpschools.org/menus. These detailed, up-to-date menus in your preferred language are on LINQconnect.com, including nutrition facts and allergens. Or, view menus as designed PDFs - here or on the website. Every student can receive one complete breakfast meal and one complete lunch meal each school day at no cost.

12/18/2024

During Winter Break, when school is not in session, children can eat free meals and snacks at many Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Hennepin County Library, and community sites. Children do not need to attend Minneapolis Public Schools to participate. Learn more at https://www.mpschools.org/departments/cws/community-sites

12/18/2024

Congratulations to MPS Culinary & Wellness Services' Active Living Coordinator Jenny Bordon!

🌞 Congratulations to MPS Shines winner Jenny Bordon, active living coordinator for MPS Culinary & Wellness Services. 🌞

Thank you, Jenny, for all that you do!

12/17/2024

CWS welcomed MPS students from all around the city, to tour the Central Kitchen, make pumpkin bars, pack "weeklys" in the production line, and complete a scavenger hunt in the warehouse.

Check out "Tour the Central Kitchen" at mpschools.org/cws to sign up for upcoming tours, and learn more about our True Food approach, nutrition philosophy, and commitment to serving local foods.

12/12/2024

When school is not in session, like tomorrow, December 13, children can eat free meals and snacks at many Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Hennepin County Library, and community sites. Children do not need to attend Minneapolis Public Schools to participate. Learn more at https://www.mpschools.org/departments/cws/community-sites

12/11/2024

Join us next Tuesday, December 17, for a Farm to School - Farmer Info Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Culinary and Wellness Services Center from 10:00am-12:00pm and lunch will be provided!

We will provide information about the Farm to School Program at Minneapolis Public Schools, discuss the upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) process and products, and answer any questions.

Any farmers or organizations interested in attending the meeting, please email Madison, Farm to School Coordinator, by this Friday 12/13.

12/10/2024

Every Family, Every Year!

Help fund your school and unlock perks by completing your Application for Educational Benefits (AEB) before Dec. 15!

If you haven’t done so already, please complete an AEB this week. It’s easy to apply online for instant processing or you can ask your school for a paper application.

https://bit.ly/MPS-AEB-2024

Why apply?

Even if you do not think you’ll qualify, your participation helps secure millions of dollars in funding for our schools!

The AEB can provide family benefits like…
• Free or reduced-cost transportation
• Internet services
• Athletic, testing and college admission fee waivers

AEBs must be processed by Dec. 15 to count toward school and district funding but can be filled out for individual and family benefits at any time, including if your household economic situation changes. Contact your school’s office for support, or email [email protected].

12/09/2024

This fall MPS' awesome students in grades 4 -5 got the opportunity to bike during their PE bike units. These units taught students how to bike, how to safely ride on the road, and just how much fun active transit can be! A big thank you to all of the community volunteers and gym teachers that made these units possible. Because of your efforts Minneapolis’ newest riders are equipped with the skills to get anywhere they want to go in a healthy, safe, and joyful way!

Learn more about Safe Routes to School in MPS at mpschools.org/safe-routes

12/05/2024

Happy ! Since 2014 we have served a locally-sourced meal every month at all Minneapolis Public Schools. We served Ferndale Market Sliced Turkey Roast, Hugh’s Gardens LLC Red Mashed Potatoes, Open Hands Farm Roasted Beets, and scratch-made Cranberry Relish & Pumpkin Bars.

Pictured: Great meals & teams at Bethune, North, Lucy Laney, & Loring!

12/05/2024

New item! Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bread, fresh baked in our kitchens, will be featured on the secondary breakfast menu every other Friday starting December 6.

Let us know what you think!