Life Time Foundation awards Fayetteville Public Schools an $80K Grant to Improve Student Meals

In 2021, we awarded Fayetteville Public Schools $80,000 in grants to use over the course of three years to help improve the nutritional quality of school meals. This grant helps the district pay for culinary training, marketing and kitchen equipment to improve the meal program, increase participation, program access, cultural inclusivity, and support student health and academic performance.  

As part of the grant, the district can spend money in the following areas: operational support and professional development, education and marketing materials, software, and equipment. Improving all these areas is essential for enhancing the nutritional quality of student meals. This is because it enables the allocation of funds towards critical components such as staff training, signage for school sites, digital menu software, and cooking materials. For example, Chef Kent Getzin, school food service culinary trainer, child nutrition consultant, and farm to school advocate, has visited Fayetteville Public Schools three times to assess operations and train the staff. In October 2023, Chef Kent spent 6 days of training focused on a local harvest menu, the fundamentals of vegetable roasting, two tasty scratch quick breads from one key recipe, and lastly a fun, creative Mystery Basket team event! 

Great work Fayetteville Public Schools nutrition staff and Chef Kent Getzin! We take great pride in supporting them as they strive to enhance the nutritional quality in their schools.