West New York Public Schools
Back To Restaurants >In conjunction with its food service provider, Nu-Way Concessionaires, West New York school district is dedicated to improving the overall health of its students. Food service director Sal Valenza was named the 2011 Outstanding Director of the Year by the New Jersey School Nutrition Association. Eight of the district's schools have won National Recognition Awards, including the Gold National Recognition Award. Needless to say, each of its school's cafeterias has a fresh salad bar.
Mr. Valenza and his staff are building a model for healthy food choices. On its website West New York School District proudly presents Chef's Corner, a page designed to provide nutritional information to its students, parents, and the community. Visitors can read about the Fruit and Vegetable of the Month, find a recipe created by Chef Kim Gray, and find additional resources for healthy living.
The school's initiatives have earned star appeal. President Clinton visited to praise the school's effort in transforming its nutritional program. (His foundation, the William J. Clinton Foundation, collaborates with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to fight childhood obesity.) Food Network star Rachael Ray also visited, giving a few of her recipes to the school. Students eat her Cheesy Mac & Trees, BBQ Turkey Sloppy Joes, and other dishes that are low in fat and sodium and high in vegetables.
West New York uses part of a grant from the USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to buy local produce from Zone 7. Each week Zone 7 delivers two or three varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables. Besides teaching the students what the vegetables are, where they come from, and why they're good for them, the faculty incorporates the experience into their curriculum, asking them, for example, to research a particular farm and a write short essay. "Our goal and vision is to try to teach the kids what the Garden State means," Chef Kim says.
Chef Bio: Kim Gray
Chef Kim Gray attended the Culinary Institute of America and has been featured on Rachel Ray’s television program and in articles across the state brings an understanding of how to work with students to engage them in making better food choices.
The Regional Chef for Nu-way Concessionaires, Chef Gray has overseen the meal programs in the West New York school district for five years. Prior to that she worked in corporate and healthcare food service. Her commitment to children shows in the many improvements that have been made to the school's programs. Chef Kim has been involved in working with the school’s staff to encourage healthy eating habits for their students and is currently working on getting our schools involved in First Lady Michelle Obama’s Healthy U.S. Schools initiative.
