PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

NYC DOE Professional Development

Online Synchronous Course

Food Explorers Family Table Sensory Kitchen Edible Kitchen Sun, Soil, Sky N.A.S.A.

Program Overview

From Picky to Curious: Engaging Students in Cafeteria Food Exploration

Tuesday November 4, 2025 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST.

This is a 1-hour synchronous online course open exclusively to Department of Education teachers, administrators and staff.

Program Details

According to Cafeteria Culture, about 45-80% of the food waste in NYC Public School cafeterias went UNTOUCHED. (Source: Mindful Choice Meals, Cafeteria Culture.) In recent years, New York City has introduced initiatives to raise the standards of cafeteria meals by incorporating healthier, more flavorful, and culturally diverse options. Despite these improvements, many students are not engaging with the updated menus, resulting in significant food waste.

Course Take Aways

In this workshop, educators will learn about NYPSC cafeteria initiatives in partnership with the Office of Food and Nutrition Services and discover how school menus are designed to create meals that are nutritious, filling, and flavorful. Participants will also gain strategies to engage students as ‘food critics,’ celebrate cultural diversity through food, reduce cafeteria waste with student-led initiatives, such as 'Share Table' initiatives and encourage thoughtful menu choices.

Learning Obectives

1. Identify common barriers that prevent students from trying new foods.

2. Apply strategies to increase student engagement and curiosity in the cafeteria.

3. Connect food exploration activities to classroom learning, SEL, and cultural responsiveness.

4. Design a mini action plan to promote healthy food choices in their own classrooms or lunchrooms.

5. Develop initiative for student-led cafeteria team to prevent food waste ‘No Thank You Bites’ and promote composting.

Audience

K–8 Teachers, Health Teachers, School Nutrition Staff, Green Team Leaders class

Resources

NYC Public School Composting Iniative

Grocery Store Field Trip-Bingo Activity

School Lunch Quiz

Be a Food Critic- Poster

USDA- Help Prevent Food Waste

5 Food Groups Poster- Elementary & Middle School

Food Waste Prevention and Share Table initiatives

Pre-Registration Form

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