Tag Archives: School lunch Software in Minnetonka

New Farm to School curriculum puts high school students in charge of tapping into healthy, local foods

MINNEAPOLIS – The new Farm to School Youth Leadership Curriculum released today connects high school students with local foods and farmers, while giving them a leadership role in developing their school’s Farm to School program. The first of its type, the curriculum was developed for 11th and 12th grade students by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) and takes students through the tasks of evaluating school lunch menus, partnering with food service staff, talking to farmers and sourcing local foods—all while fulfilling national and Minnesota curriculum requirements.

“The curriculum was designed not only to teach students about their local food system and connect them with farmers in their community, but also to give them the opportunity to take ownership over their school’s menu,” said IATP’s Senior Program Associate Erin McKee VanSlooten. “We know that despite the rapid growth of Farm to School programs around the country, the legwork of connecting with farmers and sourcing local foods can often be difficult for school staff on top of their day-to-day work. Our curriculum puts that work in students’ hands, while teaching them about their local food scene.”

The Farm to School Youth Leadership Curriculum is comprised of six lessons that can be taught consecutively over a semester or as single lessons or activities to complement other classes. Each lesson contains a lesson summary, facilitator preparation notes, activities, worksheets, recommended optional work and further resources for students and teachers. Lessons include themes such as “School Lunch: How Does it Really Work?” and “Communicating with Producers of Local Foods.”

Natasha Mortensen, agriculture educator and FFA advisor at Morris Area High School, helped write and develop the curriculum from activities she created for her own classroom.

“My students have taken ownership of the Farm to School program in our school, and have developed leadership and team building skills as they completed tasks in learning about our local food system and seasonal availability,” said Mortenson. “This curriculum is both about implementing Farm to School and growing young leaders that understand how to build a program from the ground up.”

Development of the Farm to School Youth Leadership Curriculum was a collaborative process, including consultation with educators, food service professionals and Farm to School experts, supported by the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the John P. and Eleanor R. Yackel Foundation, the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

“The Center for Prevention has a long history of investment in healthy food environments promotion, in particular the Farm to School programs across Minnesota.” said Janelle Waldock, director at the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “Programs linking fresh fruits and vegetables to schools can have an enormous impact on student health, learning outcomes and lifelong dietary habits, not to mention positive economic impact for local economies. Empowering students to lead the program themselves, will ensure continued positive outcomes on into the next generation.”

Find the curriculum and associated resources available online at www.iatp.org/f2s-curriculum.

– See more at: http://www.iatp.org/documents/new-farm-to-school-curriculum-puts-high-school-students-in-charge-of-tapping-into-healthy-#sthash.1P7adJZV.dpuf

Totino-Grace High School install New Computerized Lunch Ticket System

For Parents and Students – Totino-Grace High School install New Computerized Lunch Ticket System / School Lunch Software / Nutrition Software

www.wordwareinc.com

Wordware, Inc. School Lunch Software is No.1 Lunch Cashier System for School Lunch Computer Program and cafeteria payment system.

We are pleased to announce the implementation of our new computerized meal ticket system. Our provider, Taher, Inc., has selected Wordware, a Minnesota-based company, specializing in school lunch point of sale software. Recently you should have received a letter from the food service department indicating your child’s lunch ID number as well as your lunch account balance as of September 8, 2015. Additionally, a second letter contained information on how you can create a family registration to activate a family account to review lunch account balances online as well as view daily lunch account purchases. If you experience any difficulty creating your family access, simply contact us at taherclerk@totinograce.org or call the school at 763-571-9116 x757 and we will be happy to assist you.

A NEW FEATURE Scheduled for October 1, 2015!

ONLINE PAYMENTS

An exciting feature of our new software will allow families to make payments online using a credit card. We will use the services of FEEZEES as our secure online payment system, which is fully integrated into Wordware. The online icon button will be located on the family site on the Wordware webpage. Once this button is activated, you can begin to make online payments. Simply follow the instructions as directed and you are on your way! There is a service fee charge and it is explained prior to using the services.

Other Forms of Payments

You can use other forms of payments for lunch accounts. We accept cash payments and checks. Please make checks out to: Taher, Inc.

Exciting Changes & Enhancements in the Lunch Program This Year
Menus: A rotating variety of freshly prepared entrees including some of the “old favorites” while including some new ones! Most of the main entrées are made from scratch and include 2 appropriate sides to complete the meal. Watch the school website for updates on the menus.
Pizza: Our very own homemade pizza will debut on September 10th. This student favorite is offered with cheese or pepperoni and occasionally a specialty topping on a rotating basis.
Open Air Cold Merchandiser Grab-n-Go: Selections of freshly prepared gourmet premade salads. We also offer fresh fruit, vegetables, hummus & pita chips, yogurt, pasta salads and a variety of bottled beverages including water, juice and milk.
Sandwich Station: We offer made-to-order cold and hot sandwiches, including the student favorite Buffalo Chicken and the ever steady Cubano and the Meat Lovers Sub.
On-Display Station:
Coming in November, a rotating chef-prepared meal featuring International cuisine and culinary flare. Watch for more details!

SELLING PRICES

Below is a general comparison of selling prices. Some prices have gone up, some remain the same, and some have even gone down from last year! It is possible for a student to spend under $5 for a well-balanced meal. An example is choosing the main entrée or sandwich plus a milk. See the complete price list on the school webpage.
This Year Last Year
Main Entrée: $4.75 $4.95
MTO Sandwich: $4.25 $4.20
Salad Bar: $4.75 $4.75
Cookie: $0.50 $0.40
Specialty Salads: $2.50 $2.25
Milk: $0.15 $0.15
Fries: $1.50 $2.15
Diner Station: $3.50 $3.85

We look forward to serving you! Your Food Service Team at Totino-Grace

Pat Hinnenkamp, Chef Manager  (763) 571-9116 x757 pat.hinnenkamp@totinograce.org