Minneapolis Public Schools Culinary & Wellness Services

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!

12/03/2024

Our efforts to reduce sugar at breakfast led MPS Culinary & Wellness Services to receive the Breakfast Trailblazer Award from Action for Healthy Kids. Congratulations!

Over the past few years, the nutrition team has reworked its breakfast offerings to include more protein-heavy menu items made in-house.

12/03/2024

Meet Bjorn, the owner of Hugh’s Gardens LLC. Hugh’s Gardens has been a long-standing Farm to School partner of ours, growing many varieties of potatoes used all school year long! Bjorn works with small potato farmers from the Red River Valley region to store, wash, pack, and market potatoes. He is proud to carry on the legacy of Hugh’s Gardens by supporting small farms and increasing healthy food access. This week, for MN Thursday, try the mashed potatoes made from Hugh’s Gardens Red Potatoes!

12/02/2024

Scratch cooking is a key part of our program. Fun fact: The pumpkin bars for on Dec. 5 are MPS Menu Administrator Mandy’s recipe – and they were the first treat she made in her previous career as a bakery owner!

mpschools.org/menus

11/25/2024

On this week of Thanksgiving, we are thankful for the important moments that students and staff create in the cafeteria. When students return from break, we have great meals planned in December, and you can check them out at mpschools.org/menus.

When school is not in session, Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Nov. 29 for the Thanksgiving break, 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://www.mpschools.org/departments/cws/community-sites

Get more menu details on linqconnect.com, including nutrition facts and allergens, by choosing “Schools Menus” from the School Services dropdown (registration not required), then selecting Minneapolis Public School District.

11/20/2024

Taste Farmer Rae’s Acorn Squash tomorrow at lunch! Farmer Rae has been a partner with MPS Culinary and Wellness since 2013. Also on the high school menu this week is the Nashville Hot Chicken – a student favorite, the recipe created by Chef Rebecca K12.

11/20/2024

Join us for lunch on Monday, Nov. 25 when we're serving Beef or Lentil Sambusa from Hoyo. Check out this article that highlights the women who make them.

Twelve food startups received grants from the St. Paul-based Market Entry Fund this year, including Hoyo, sausage maker Linko Food, and Junita's Jar, which sells cookies at Target.

11/18/2024

The first trailer of bikes has been dropped off at Transition Plus School. Transition Plus’ incredible bike program fixes all of the bikes in CWS's four traveling bike fleets that go to different schools throughout the year so kids can learn how to bike safely on the streets and trails of Minneapolis.

The fourth and fifth grade bike program would not be possible without the time and labor of Transition Plus’ incredibly talented staff and students. Thank you so much!

11/14/2024

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) gives elementary students at qualifying schools the opportunity to taste and learn about new foods in their classroom. Today students are trying the Hidden Rose apple – a speckled, light green apple that’s bright pink inside!

Visit mpschools.org/cws > Food Education for more info on FFVP!

11/14/2024

of Bertrand and the Culinary & Wellness Services team!

The results are in! Basic American Foods™ announced today the winners of its 36th annual Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) Awards. And the winners are… Golden Foodservice Director of the Year Award (the FAME Awards’ most prestigious honor): Bertrand Weber, Director of Culina...