Real food and Minneapolis Public Schools

 Perhaps you were thinking that in this crazy world we live in things never change for the better? Well, if you are a student or a parent in the Minneapolis Public School (MPS) district, you have something to look forward to. Thirty-five years ago, the Minneapolis Schools set up a large, central commissary to provide food to schools throughout the district. It was designed as a “pre-pack” operation where purchased, pre-processed foods were packaged and shipped to schools for re-heating and serving to students. The “pre-pack” approach meant that the district didn’t cook its own meals and nearly all the food came to kids wrapped individually in plastic. That’s about to change.  Just a few months ago, MPS began to dream about a food revolution of its own.  MPS’ new Director of Nutrition and Culinary Services, Bertrand Weber, and his staff have set bold new goals to improve the quality of food being served and to support local farmers and the local economy through an expanded Farm to School program. That means big improvements ahead for the 3.7 million lunches and 2.1 million breakfasts served annually by MPS.