Gridley Unified School District Nutrition Department staff and Chef Ann Foundation apprentices, from left, Briana Swanson, Nelly Maxwell, Jessica Lopez, Michele Diaz, Audelia Campos, Hortencia Mercado and Lexi Salazar.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley Unified School District’s Nutrition Department is serving up fresher meals under the direction of Nutrition Director Michele Diaz.

Diaz brings 22 years of experience to her role and a focus on wholesome nutrition. She has overhauled district kitchens, shifting the emphasis to scratch cooking rather than relying predominantly on prepackaged or processed food items.

Menus built around freshly prepared meals have allowed Diaz to partner with local farmers and producers. The department now sources fruits, vegetables and beef from area suppliers.

Diaz also worked with No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit campaign through Share Our Strength that helps provide healthy meals to children and families, including during the summer months. She secured a grant that helped cover department costs while promoting the summer meal program, which provides five days’ worth of meals to children ages 0 to 18 in the community.

Jessica Lopez, head cook, prepares fresh chicken wraps for students.

“We went from serving 6,000 meals in our regular summer school program to serving 29,000 meals this summer,” Diaz said. “We would feed about 200 to 300 kids a week.”

Diaz said children had to be present when picking up noncongregate meals to prevent abuse of the program.

“It was a huge success,” Diaz said. Looking ahead, she added, “We are hoping to extend that to a seven-day meal service, so we are able to feed those kids on the weekends as well.”

In addition to expanding access to nutritious meals, Diaz has continued her own professional development.

Diaz was one of 26 individuals accepted into a 13-month fellowship with the Chef Ann Foundation. The Colorado-based organization supports schools transitioning to scratch cooking, from menu planning to procuring quality goods that meet state and federal school nutrition standards.

Diaz recently completed the program.

“I have been very blessed with directors that have wanted me to succeed,” Diaz said of the mentorship she received and hopes to pass on, “It’s important to me that I give that opportunity to my staff. Any training opportunities that come up I present to them.”

Nelly Maxwell places sliced cheese over freshly prepared burger patties in the Gridley Unified School District kitchen.

Jessica Lopez, head cook for the GUSD Nutrition Department, said she has worked with Diaz for three years and has seen significant improvements in the school nutrition program. Lopez completed both a pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship with the Chef Ann Foundation. She said other staff members are following suit, encouraged by Diaz’s mentorship.

Two GUSD nutrition staff members have completed the apprenticeship, one is currently enrolled and two community members are apprenticing through the Chef Ann Foundation.

Lopez said she enjoys preparing meals from scratch and sees a positive response from students.

Audelia Campos prepares scratch-made meatballs and marinara while assembling sandwiches in a Gridley Unified School District kitchen.

“The kids like it because they get to try new things and have new experiences that they didn’t get before,” Lopez said, adding that dishes such as pa sole and hand-pressed jalapeno burgers on grill days.

Lopez also credited the department’s teamwork.

“We’re like family,” Lopez said.

Diaz said she remains committed to empowering both staff and students to learn about and make healthy meal choices.

“I love what I do,” Diaz said.

Michele Diaz holds a commemorative engraved chopping knife presented upon her graduation from the Chef Ann Foundation fellowship.