Apricot Archive
Apricot Ambassador Program Handpicks Innovators
The “Apricot Ambassadors,” a panel comprised of foodservice directors, supervisors and nutrition specialists, is proud to announce its confirmed members: Berkeley Unified School District’s School Nutrition Director, Karen Candito; Boston Public School’s Director, Helen Mont-Ferguson; Elk Grove Unified School District’s Nutrition Specialist, Ann Gaffney; El Monte School District’s Director, Wanda Grant; Mt. Diablo School District’s Food and Nutrition Services Supervisor, Marion McArthur; San Jose Unified School District’s Nutrition Director, Chuck Davis; Vacaville Unified School District’s Foodservice Director, Brenda Padilla; and West Contra Costa Unified School District’s Nutrition Specialist, Stephanie Regal.
The panel members, who will enjoy a variety of new California apricot activities and recipes that can be used in their schools, come from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, which the APC believes will greatly benefit the program.
Berkeley USD, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine’s “Golden Carrot Award” winner, has taken a stance on healthy eating and transformed their menus to include a variety of healthy options.
Boston Public Schools is our first out-of-state member and has a student population of about 60,000.
Elk Grove USD is always prepared for the future. In an area that is experiencing extreme growth, they expect to reach 80,000 students by 2008, up from a current enrollment of 58,000.
Committed to promoting healthy lifestyles, El Monte SD has created a nutrition network that will be working with the Apricot Ambassadors.
Catering to a diverse student population from various backgrounds, Mt. Diablo USD is one of the most innovative districts in the country.
San Jose USD is an innovative district as well, currently working on opening a new central kitchen facility to better meet their students’ needs.
Brenda Padilla, Vacaville USD’s school foodservice director, is being awarded the School Nutrition Association’s Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) Silver Spirit Award this month for her continuing dedication to the school nutrition industry.
West Contra Costa USD prepares all of their food in a central kitchen and will be testing new California apricot recipes on the APC’s behalf.
To learn more about the Apricot Ambassador program, please contact Diane Wegner Deshler at 510.654.5400, or visit the APC at www.apricotproducers.com.
CSFSA Update
Diane Wegner Deshler attended the Mother Lode School Foodservice Association’s meeting in November, at which the APC donated a California apricot gift basket as a raffle prize.
Diane Brooks, Foodservice Manager for Roseville City SD, won the California apricot gift basket packed with California apricots, Christine and Rob’s Gourmet Oatmeal, ceramic bowls with matching napkins, and Alvin the Apricot beanie toys.
Processor News!
In December, the APC made a California apricot presentation to key decision makers at the USDA to highlight the good work of the APC and the Apricot Ambassador Program. In addition, the APC sampled various Signature Fruit Company and Pacific Coast Producer product offerings, including current and possible future California apricot products.
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