Food Services ESP — 
Building a Quality Workforce

Food Services ESP and the 21st Century Community

The school cafeteria is a mirror of the community as a whole. On a daily basis, Food Services employees interact with students who reflect the values and attitudes of their own home situations and broader community. If the community or their homes are awash in substance abuse, the Food Services employee encounters drug situations in the cafeteria.

Food Services employees need meaningful training and support in dealing with the many family-related challenges that are brought to the school cafeteria, including child abuse, bullying, sexual abuse, disruptive behavior, substance abuse, death and grief issues, psychological and personality disorders, sexual harassment, multi-cultural and multi-lingual issues, sexually transmitted diseases, and student sexual orientation.

Because many 21st century families have two wage earners, they have little time for chores like food shopping, meal planning and cooking. School meals have become the major source of nutrition for many children, and the interaction between Food Services employees and students and their families has increased dramatically.

At a school district in Michigan, the Food Services ESP developed a child nutrition program that affects the entire family. Piloted in one school, the program includes an annual Health Fair, a Horticultural Fair to teach families how to grow fruits and vegetables, and a nutrition-oriented Make It-Take It Fair for the winter holidays.

More community-oriented programs are needed, and awareness and training about students' families are a vital component of overall professional development for food services employees.

To Section 7: Food Services ESP & Emergency Situations — The Cafeteria Can Be a Dangerous Environment