California residents looking to embark on a career in school food service can now apply for the California Healthy School Food Pathway Pre-Apprenticeship program. This initiative, run by the Chef Ann Foundation—a national nonprofit committed to promoting scratch cooking in schools—provides paid, hands-on training focused on preparing healthy meals from scratch for students.
This seven-week program is designed for individuals with little to no prior experience in school food operations and is accessible to both English and Spanish speakers. Participants, known as Pre-Apprentices, will gain valuable culinary and operational skills while working at a local school district. They will also complete online coursework and participate in virtual learning sessions with peers and mentors. Since its launch in 2022, the program has successfully graduated over 200 residents of California.
“School food careers require skill, creativity, and dedication,” said Emily Gallivan, Senior Director of California Workforce Programs at Chef Ann Foundation. “School food professionals hold the unique responsibility of not only preparing and cooking meals but also the opportunity to shape students’ eating habits and introduce them to healthy and diverse foods at a young age.”
Since the onset of the pandemic, schools across the country have faced notable staffing shortages. This challenge has been further amplified by California’s universal school meal program, highlighting the urgent need for a skilled workforce in school food services. A recent study conducted by the Food Insight Group, the California School Nutrition Association, and the Chef Ann Foundation revealed that California’s school food departments have an annual turnover rate of 13%, which is higher than that of similar sectors both in the state and nationwide. To tackle these pressing staffing challenges and to enhance the skills of both new and existing school food professionals, the Healthy School Food Pathway program has been introduced. This spring, over 70 school districts throughout the state will take part in the Pre-Apprenticeship program, and those that have already joined are beginning to notice positive changes within their districts.
“The biggest win was that everyone was engaged, and I truly believe that a small fire was kindled, even in the most hesitant of our employees,” said Judi Reynolds, Child Nutrition Services Director at Fallbrook Union High School District, which is a Pre-Apprenticeship host district.
Individuals looking to pursue a career in school food and make a positive impact in their local communities are urged to consider applying for the program. Upon successfully completing the Pre-Apprenticeship, graduates will have the opportunity to advance into the nine-month Apprenticeship program offered within their district.
