The Collective Voice: Real Tools, Real Impact
Part of the Gaia Collective, this blog brings together stories from the field and behind-the-scenes looks at the tools transforming school nutrition. Get practical insights, product tips, and peer-driven strategies—so you can make the most of Gaia and keep your program running strong.
Making Fresh Food Work in K–12
Fresh, scratch-cooked food in K–12 schools isn’t just possible—it’s already happening. At IFPA, Joseph Blissett (Joliet Public Schools) and Chef Rebecca Polson shared practical ways to make farm-to-school and fresh produce work without more staff or bigger budgets. From food hubs like Common Market to hydroponic systems like Fork Farms, they showed how smart partnerships, grants, and student engagement can transform cafeterias. This playbook captures their best lessons—what’s working, where the challenges are, and ideas you can try tomorrow to cut waste, boost participation, and build stronger school nutrition programs.
