Cafeteria

Cafe Corner: February 2024

You are Invited to the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Food Show!

Are you interested in shaping the future of school lunch at PWCS?! The Food and Nutrition Department is hosting their Annual Food Show on Thursday, March 7th, from 6-8pm at Colgan High School! Students, families and PWCS staff are encouraged to attend this free event to taste test new recipes and provide their feedback! If you are interested in attending, RSVP using the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/0ChRCBHyb7 or call 703-791-7314.

 

February Local Harvest of The Month: Butternut Squash

February’s Local Harvest of the Month is Butternut Squash! You may have had butternut squash roasted or in a soup, but have you ever tried it on a salad?! We are serving a new salad recipe in February featuring butternut squash combined with kale, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds!

It will be on the menu the following dates:

Elementary Schools: Wednesday, February 28th

Middle Schools: Thursday, February 22nd

High Schools: Friday, February 16th

Want to recreate this menu special at home? Here is the recipe from the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department!

febcaferecipe.png

Cafe Corner: January 2024

Sweet Potatoes are the Virginia Harvest of the Month

We are celebrating Sweet Potatoes as the Virigina Harvest of the Month with a menu special in January! The PWCS Food and Nutrition Department will be serving scratch made Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples as a school lunch side at all schools. Be sure to look from this menu special at schools on:

Elementary Schools: Friday, January 19th

Middle and High Schools: Thursday, January 18th

Want to recreate this menu special at home? Here is the recipe from the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department!

picture1.png

Celebrate Local Milk!

Thursday, January 11th is National Milk Day! Did you know the milk we serve is local? Our milk is supplied through Dairy Maid Dairy located in Frederick, Maryland just 50 miles from our county! Elementary students who choose to have school breakfast on National Milk Day (Thursday, January 11th) will receive a milk mustache sticker! Join us in celebrating local milk!

PWCS Nutrition Job Fair!

Are you tired of working evenings and weekends? Would you like to be off during your child’s school breaks? Are you looking for a job that truly has an impact on your community? Consider working for PWCS Nutrition! The PWCS Food and Nutrition Department is hosting a Job Fair on January 24th from 9am-6:30pm! Interested individuals can apply and interview on site at the Job Fair!

Learn more and register to attend here: https://forms.office.com/r/F9aWQC1vsj

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department at 703-791-7314. 

 

Cafe Corner: December 2023 

Tamales on the School Lunch Menu in December! 

As we enter the winter holiday season, the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department is excited to serve Cheese and Green Chile Tamales as a menu special in December! Tamales are commonly eaten during winter holiday celebrations, so come celebrate school lunch with us this December by enjoying a Cheese and Green Chile Tamale for school lunch! If you haven’t had a Tamale, or Tamal as it is pronounced in Spanish, then you are in for a treat! Tamales are made using masa harina (corn flour) to make a dough. The dough is filled with a variety of fillings, then wrapped in a corn husk or banana leaf, and steamed until the dough is solid. Tamales originated more than 7,000 years ago, and today are eaten in many countries in North, Central, and South America! Tamale fillings vary by culture and geographical region, but they all are delicious! At PWCS, we are going to be serving Vegetarian Tamales filled with cheese and green chiles for School Lunch on the following dates: 

Elementary Schools: Tuesday, December 5th 

Middle Schools: Tuesday, December 12th 

High Schools: Wednesday, December 6th or 13th  

 

 

The PWCS Food and Nutrition Department is Hiring! 

Are you tired of working evenings and weekends? Would you like to be off during your child’s school breaks? Are you looking for a job that truly has an impact on your community? Consider working for PWCS Nutrition!  

The PWCS Food and Nutrition Department is seeking passionate, dedicated, fun-loving applicants for all areas of the county. We strive to provide wholesome, enjoyable, high quality, nutritious meals to our students, so they can be ready to learn and take full advantage of the educational opportunities provided to them. The work we do is important, and the people who do it are inspiring. If these values are important to you too, come be part of our team!  

The number of hours needed varies by school. Most shifts fall between 9am and 3pm. Employees have weekends, evenings, school holidays/breaks, and snow days off. In addition, PWCS Nutrition employees received free school lunch every day they work! The starting pay is $15.07 an hour, and there are opportunities for growth and advancement! 

Ready to join us? Go to https://jobs.pwcs.edu/Jobs/, and choose “Classified – FOOD SERVICE” from the job type drop down menu. Click the job link you are interested in applying for, and then click “log in to apply.” For help with the online application, contact Human Resources at 703-791-8050. 

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department at  

703-791-7314. We look forward to hearing from you! 

 

Cafe Corner: November 2023 

Local Harvest of the Month Recipe: Curtido (served with Pupusas on the school lunch menu!)

The Harvest of the Month feature in November is Cabbage! In celebration of Cabbage, the Food and Nutrition Department is serving scratch made Curtido, a Salvadorian cabbage slaw, with Pupusas in November! Curtido is a traditional side served with Pupusas which are thick flatbreads filled with cheese and a variety of other ingredients. The Pupusas we will be serving are filled with beans and cheese! The Curtido recipe the PWCS Nutrition staff will be preparing for students was provided and developed by PWCS Food and Nutrition Employees who have family roots in El Salvador and Honduras. The recipe for the Curtido that will be served in schools is below! Pupusas and Curtido will be served on the following dates in November:

  • Elementary Schools: Tuesday, November 21st
  • Middle Schools: Tuesday, November 28th
  • High Schools: Wednesday, November 29th

nov_recipe.png 

Thanksgiving Luncheon

The Food and Nutrition Department will be serving a festive Thanksgiving-themed meal in November! The menu includes, but is not limited to, Roast Turkey Breast, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Scratch-Made Dinner Rolls, Parmesan Broccolini, and Scratch-Made Pumpkin Souffle! Visit www.PWCSNutrition.com for the full menu. The special Thanksgiving menu will be served on the following dates. Please join us!

  • Elementary Schools: Thursday, November 9th
  • Middle and High Schools: Friday, November 17th

Cafe Corner: September 2023 

 PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Local Harvest of the Month


Did you know your school cafeteria serves seasonal Virginia produce all year long? Incorporating local products into our menus gives students the opportunity to enjoy nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables, while learning about the seasonality of foods and how foods are grown. These products support local farms and are a tasty way to improve the health of our children!


Every month, the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department features a different Virginia-grown fruit or vegetable as the Local Harvest of the Month! Follow @PWCSNutrition on Twitter and Instagram to learn about the monthly Harvest of the Month, and the many local farmers who grow food for our menus! PWCS Nutrition also shares recipes for many of the scratch made menu items that feature the Local Harvest of the Month! This month the featured recipe is PWCS Nutrition’s scratch made Kickin’ Roasted Veggies, which are made with local Virginia-grown bell peppers and yellow squash!

Kickin' Roasted Veggies

National School Lunch Week Contests in September!

The Food and Nutrition Department is hosting two divisionwide contests in September! The winners of the contests will be announced during National School Lunch Week (October 10th 13th).
Students across the division have the opportunity to participate in a T-Shirt Design Contest and a School Lunch Minecraft Education Build Challenge! The winning T-Shirt design will be turned into a shirt that will be worn by all PWCS Food and Nutrition Department employees this school year. Students who participate in the Minecraft Education Build Challenge will have the chance to participate in a video chat with one of the Directors of Minecraft Education and have their design be featured at the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Food Show at Colgan High School on October 26th! Please contact the School Food Service Manager at your school to get the rules and guidelines for both contests, or access the guidelines on the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Launchpad.

Cafe Corner: August 2023 

PWCS Nutrition Meal Benefits, Menus and More!

Students who attend a school that falls under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) will receive meals free of charge. Please visit the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s website, www.pwcsnutrition.com, to view a list of the CEP schools.

Families of students not attending a CEP school are encouraged to complete a Free Meal Benefits Application. Free meals are available to students whose households qualify under federal standards. The Meal Benefits Application is available in English and Spanish on the PWCS Food and Nutrition website. After your 2023-24 Meal Benefits Application is processed, you will be notified by email or US mail of your child's status. Until you are notified, you must provide your child with meals or money for meals. If your child was eligible for free or reduced-price meals in the 2022-23 school year, they will receive free breakfast and lunch until October 5, 2023.

Meal prices for the 2023-24 school year are listed below. You can pay for meals online via www.MySchoolBucks.com.

BREAKFAST

Student Breakfast – All Grades $1.60

Second Student Breakfast $2.75

Adults $2.75

 

LUNCH

Elementary School $2.60

Middle School $2.75

High School $2.85

Student Second Lunch $4.50

Adult Lunch $4.50

Milk A La Carte $1.00

Our breakfast and lunch menus are available online at www.pwcsnutrition.com. You can sign up to have the menu emailed to you monthly and download our free menu app for your smart phone!

Contact the Food and Nutrition Department at 703-791-7314 with questions, or visit our website, www.pwcsnutrition.com, for more information. We are looking forward to serving your students again this year!

 

Cafe Corner: June 2023

Eat Healthy This Summer!

Did you know the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department provides breakfast and lunch at some schools during the summer months?! Summer meals are free of charge and available to all children, 18 years old and under.

The summer menu, as well as meal service locations, dates, and times, will be posted on the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s website: www.PWCSNutrition.com. Come join us for breakfast and lunch!

Cafe Corner: April 2023

PWCS Nutrition’s Poetry Contest!

April is National Poetry Month, and PWCS Nutrition is celebrating with a Divisionwide Poetry Contest! Students have the opportunity to write a poem about school meals and record a video reading their poem aloud. To be considered for the contest, written poems AND the video recording need to be emailed to LeinewMJ@pwcs.edu by Friday, April 28th. One student will be selected per grade level (elementary, middle, and high school) as the winner of the PWCS Nutrition Poetry Contest! Winning students will receive an iPad, and their school will receive $1,000 toward a wellness-related purchase of their choosing. Winning students and schools will be announced in May, and the poems will be shared on the PWCS Nutrition’s Twitter and Instagram accounts. Follow @PWCSNutrition to learn more and see the winning poems!  Please email LeinewMJ@pwcs.edu if you have questions about the Poetry Contest!

April Harvest Of The Month

April’s Local Harvest of the Month is Lettuce! Here is the recipe for the Layered Lettuce Salad that is served on the Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars throughout the division!

Picture1.png

 

Cafe Corner: March 2023

 

National Nutrition Month: Eat The Rainbow!

March is National Nutrition Month, and we are celebrating the nutritional benefits of eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables! A colorful plate (and school lunch tray!) not only looks pretty, but it tastes delicious and is super good for your health, too!

Why do people say, “Eat The Rainbow!?” This is said because fruits and veggies contain specific phytonutrients that provide distinct COLORS, flavors, and health benefits! So which colors offer which phytonutrients, and what do they do for your body?! RED fruits and vegetables have lycopene and anthocyanins which help your organs and circulatory system stay healthy. ORANGE fruits and vegetables are rich in beta carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, and antioxidants. They help support your immune system and protect your body against cell damage. GREEN fruits and vegetables get their color from chlorophyll, which helps your body eliminate toxins. PURPLE fruits and vegetables contain anthocyanins as well as many other antioxidants that help your cholesterol and support brain health.

Learn more about the many colorful fruit and vegetable options PWCS Nutrition offers by following @PWCSNutrition on Twitter and Instagram. On Wednesdays, #EatTheRainbowWednesdays features our unlimited Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bar options!

March Harvest Of The Month

March’s Local Harvest of the Month is Kale! Here is the recipe for the Superfood Salad that is served on the Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars throughout the division!

Picture1.png

Cafe Corner: February 2023

 

Boost Learning Power with School Breakfast

You have probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but do you know why? We perform better, mentally and physically, when our bodies are fueled. In the morning, your body is starving for energy, even if you do not feel particularly hungry. Breakfast is especially important for kids because they are developing and growing.

Students who eat breakfast miss less school and get better grades. Yet 3 out of 4 teachers say their “students regularly come to school hungry.” Hungry kids are more likely to have health issues and trouble learning and concentrating. They are also more prone to behavioral and emotional problems. 

Looking for a convenient and affordable way to feed your student(s) breakfast during the week?
All Prince William County Public Schools serve breakfast every school day! Our “Grab n’ Go” breakfasts are designed to be nutritious and portable, so kids can enjoy a balanced breakfast in the classroom or cafeteria. Offerings vary each day and include items like hot breakfast sandwiches, breakfast breads, French toast sticks, cereal, fruit, 100% fruit juice and milk.

Students receiving free lunch also get school breakfast free of charge. A complete, full price breakfast costs just $1.50 a day, or $7.50 a week.

For more school breakfast fun, join us on Golden Ticket Breakfast Bag days! Once a month, students have the chance to win a prize when they find a Golden Ticket with their school breakfast! The date of the Golden Ticket Breakfast Bag day is posted in the cafeteria each month. In March, Golden Ticket Breakfast Bag day will be on March 7th during National School Breakfast Week, and there will be new special prizes!

Source: https://nkh-development-s3-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/HIOS_2017.pdf?_ga=2.265975119.1911221260.1574095362-1462249157.1571321568

 

February Local Harvest of The Month

February’s Local Harvest of the Month is Butternut Squash! You may have had butternut squash roasted or in a soup, but have you ever tried it on a salad?! We are serving a new salad recipe in February featuring butternut squash combined with kale, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds! Look for it on February 22nd at elementary schools, February 24th at middle schools, and February 17th at high schools!

 

Cafe Corner: January 2023

  

From Your Neighborhood Cows

Wednesday, January 11th is National Milk Day! You may have heard about the beautiful, locally grown fruit and vegetable choices served in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), but did you know the milk we serve is local too? That’s right! Our milk is supplied through Dairy Maid Dairy located in Frederick, Maryland just 50 miles from our county! Select a carton of milk with breakfast and lunch as part of a complete school meal or purchase it a la carte!

Milk provides students with the vitamin D, calcium, and protein they need to grow and build strong bones. It is recommended that children ages 4-8 consume 2.5 cups of dairy each day, while those between the ages of 9-18 should consume 3 cups of dairy every day. Choosing milk as part of a complete school breakfast and lunch allows students the opportunity to consume two of their daily dairy servings at school.

Elementary students who choose to have school breakfast on National Milk Day (Wednesday, January 11th) will receive a milk mustache sticker! Join us in celebrating local and nutrient-rich milk!

 

PWCS Milk Day

Cafe Corner: December 2022

 

Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars

Did you know the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department offers unlimited fruits and vegetables for school lunch? Students may fill up their school lunch trays with produce from our Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bar. They are available at every school on every lunch service line!

Self-serve increases the likelihood that students will try new fruits and vegetables. For example, they can try one celery stick instead of committing to an entire portion as one of their choices. When students try new fruits and vegetables, they incorporate greater variety into their diet, which ensures they get all the nutrition their body needs.

PWCS Cafe Image

December’s Local Harvest of the Month is Spinach!  Here is the recipe for the Pomegranate Blueberry Spinach Salad that is served on the Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars throughout the division!

 pomegranate_blueberry_salad_recipe.png

 

Cafe Corner: November 2022

PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s November Local Harvest of the Month

November’s Local Harvest of the Month is Cabbage!  The Food and Nutrition Department features local farmers who grow the produce we serve on our menu on their Twitter and Instagram accounts. Follow @PWCSNutrition to learn more about the local foods being served to students! Here is the recipe for the Stir Fried Cabbage served in all schools!

 StirFriedCabbage

 

Cafe Corner: October 2022 

PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Local Harvest of the Month

Did you know your school cafeteria serves seasonal Virginia produce all year long? Incorporating local products into our menus gives students the opportunity to enjoy nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables, while learning about the seasonality of foods and how foods are grown. These products support local farms and are a tasty way to improve the health of our children!

Every month, the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department features a different Virginia-grown fruit or vegetable as the Local Harvest of the Month! Follow @PWCSNutrition on Twitter and Instagram to learn about their monthly Harvest of the Month, and the many local farmers who grow food for our menus! PWCS Food and Nutrition also shares a monthly recipe featuring one of their scratch made menu items and the Harvest of the Month! This month the feature is PWCS Nutrition’s scratch made Apple Crisp!

National School Lunch Week (October 11-14)

National School Lunch Week (NSLW) is October 11-14, 2022. This week gives the Food and Nutrition Department an opportunity to showcase the quality of our nutritious meals.

This year, the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department held a Pun Art Contest! Students across the division had the opportunity in September to come up with a pun featuring a food on our menu during NSLW. Classes competed to write a pun and create artwork illustrating their pun. One winning class will be chosen per school level (elementary, middle and high).

Winning class submissions will be announced and featured on the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Twitter and Instagram accounts throughout NSLW (October 11th – 14th). Their school will receive $1,000 toward a wellness-related purchase of their choosing (ex. bike rack, water bottle filler, school garden, etc.)!

What else is happening during National School Lunch Week, you ask? Locally grown foods will be served, and we encourage parents and other family members to come join us for lunch. Stop by the cafeteria and see for yourself what delicious, healthy choices are available to students every day!

PWCS Nutrition Meal Benefits, Menus and More!

Hiring Flyer

 

You Can Make a Difference for Hundreds of PWCS Students

The PWCS Food & Nutrition department is hiring! We would love for you to join our team!

Tired of working evenings and weekends? Want to be off for your student's school vacations and breaks? Looking for a job that truly has an impact on your community? Consider working for the PWCS Food & Nutrition Department!

PWCS Food & Nutrition is seeking applicants for all areas of the county. We strive to provide wholesome, enjoyable, high quality, nutritious meals to our students, so they can be ready to learn and take full advantage of the educational opportunities provided to them. The work we do is important, and the people who do it are inspiring. If these values are important to you too, come be part of our team!

Wonder what it's like to work in a school cafeteria? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN6A2bUHFDY&t=1s

The number of hours needed varies by school, anywhere from 3-6 hours a day. Most shifts fall between 9am and 3pm. Employees have all weekends, school holidays and snow days off. Most staff members work close to home, in their own neighborhood schools. Starting pay is $12.89 an hour. Opportunities for growth and advancement are available.

Ready to join us? Go to https://jobs.pwcs.edu/Jobs/, and choose "Classified - FOOD SERVICE" from the job type drop down menu. Click the job link you are interested in applying for, and then click "log in to apply." If you do not yet have an account, follow the "new user" instructions to create one. For help with the online application, contact Human Resources at 703-791-8050.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department at 703-791-7314. We look forward to hearing from you!
PWCS Nutrition - We serve the future

Cafe Corner: June 2023

Eat Healthy This Summer!

Did you know the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department provides breakfast and lunch at some schools during the summer months?! Summer meals are free of charge and available to all children, 18 years old and under.

The summer menu, as well as meal service locations, dates, and times, will be posted on the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s website: www.PWCSNutrition.com. Come join us for breakfast and lunch!

Cafe Corner: April 2023

PWCS Nutrition’s Poetry Contest!

April is National Poetry Month, and PWCS Nutrition is celebrating with a Divisionwide Poetry Contest! Students have the opportunity to write a poem about school meals and record a video reading their poem aloud. To be considered for the contest, written poems AND the video recording need to be emailed to LeinewMJ@pwcs.edu by Friday, April 28th. One student will be selected per grade level (elementary, middle, and high school) as the winner of the PWCS Nutrition Poetry Contest! Winning students will receive an iPad, and their school will receive $1,000 toward a wellness-related purchase of their choosing. Winning students and schools will be announced in May, and the poems will be shared on the PWCS Nutrition’s Twitter and Instagram accounts. Follow @PWCSNutrition to learn more and see the winning poems!  Please email LeinewMJ@pwcs.edu if you have questions about the Poetry Contest!

April Harvest Of The Month

April’s Local Harvest of the Month is Lettuce! Here is the recipe for the Layered Lettuce Salad that is served on the Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars throughout the division!

Picture1.png

 

Cafe Corner: March 2023

 

National Nutrition Month: Eat The Rainbow!

March is National Nutrition Month, and we are celebrating the nutritional benefits of eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables! A colorful plate (and school lunch tray!) not only looks pretty, but it tastes delicious and is super good for your health, too!

Why do people say, “Eat The Rainbow!?” This is said because fruits and veggies contain specific phytonutrients that provide distinct COLORS, flavors, and health benefits! So which colors offer which phytonutrients, and what do they do for your body?! RED fruits and vegetables have lycopene and anthocyanins which help your organs and circulatory system stay healthy. ORANGE fruits and vegetables are rich in beta carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, and antioxidants. They help support your immune system and protect your body against cell damage. GREEN fruits and vegetables get their color from chlorophyll, which helps your body eliminate toxins. PURPLE fruits and vegetables contain anthocyanins as well as many other antioxidants that help your cholesterol and support brain health.

Learn more about the many colorful fruit and vegetable options PWCS Nutrition offers by following @PWCSNutrition on Twitter and Instagram. On Wednesdays, #EatTheRainbowWednesdays features our unlimited Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bar options!

March Harvest Of The Month

March’s Local Harvest of the Month is Kale! Here is the recipe for the Superfood Salad that is served on the Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars throughout the division!

Picture1.png

Cafe Corner: February 2023

 

Boost Learning Power with School Breakfast

You have probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but do you know why? We perform better, mentally and physically, when our bodies are fueled. In the morning, your body is starving for energy, even if you do not feel particularly hungry. Breakfast is especially important for kids because they are developing and growing.

Students who eat breakfast miss less school and get better grades. Yet 3 out of 4 teachers say their “students regularly come to school hungry.” Hungry kids are more likely to have health issues and trouble learning and concentrating. They are also more prone to behavioral and emotional problems. 

Looking for a convenient and affordable way to feed your student(s) breakfast during the week?
All Prince William County Public Schools serve breakfast every school day! Our “Grab n’ Go” breakfasts are designed to be nutritious and portable, so kids can enjoy a balanced breakfast in the classroom or cafeteria. Offerings vary each day and include items like hot breakfast sandwiches, breakfast breads, French toast sticks, cereal, fruit, 100% fruit juice and milk.

Students receiving free lunch also get school breakfast free of charge. A complete, full price breakfast costs just $1.50 a day, or $7.50 a week.

For more school breakfast fun, join us on Golden Ticket Breakfast Bag days! Once a month, students have the chance to win a prize when they find a Golden Ticket with their school breakfast! The date of the Golden Ticket Breakfast Bag day is posted in the cafeteria each month. In March, Golden Ticket Breakfast Bag day will be on March 7th during National School Breakfast Week, and there will be new special prizes!

Source: https://nkh-development-s3-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/HIOS_2017.pdf?_ga=2.265975119.1911221260.1574095362-1462249157.1571321568

 

February Local Harvest of The Month

February’s Local Harvest of the Month is Butternut Squash! You may have had butternut squash roasted or in a soup, but have you ever tried it on a salad?! We are serving a new salad recipe in February featuring butternut squash combined with kale, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds! Look for it on February 22nd at elementary schools, February 24th at middle schools, and February 17th at high schools!

 

Cafe Corner: January 2023

  

From Your Neighborhood Cows

Wednesday, January 11th is National Milk Day! You may have heard about the beautiful, locally grown fruit and vegetable choices served in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), but did you know the milk we serve is local too? That’s right! Our milk is supplied through Dairy Maid Dairy located in Frederick, Maryland just 50 miles from our county! Select a carton of milk with breakfast and lunch as part of a complete school meal or purchase it a la carte!

Milk provides students with the vitamin D, calcium, and protein they need to grow and build strong bones. It is recommended that children ages 4-8 consume 2.5 cups of dairy each day, while those between the ages of 9-18 should consume 3 cups of dairy every day. Choosing milk as part of a complete school breakfast and lunch allows students the opportunity to consume two of their daily dairy servings at school.

Elementary students who choose to have school breakfast on National Milk Day (Wednesday, January 11th) will receive a milk mustache sticker! Join us in celebrating local and nutrient-rich milk!

 

PWCS Milk Day

Cafe Corner: December 2022

 

Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars

Did you know the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department offers unlimited fruits and vegetables for school lunch? Students may fill up their school lunch trays with produce from our Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bar. They are available at every school on every lunch service line!

Self-serve increases the likelihood that students will try new fruits and vegetables. For example, they can try one celery stick instead of committing to an entire portion as one of their choices. When students try new fruits and vegetables, they incorporate greater variety into their diet, which ensures they get all the nutrition their body needs.

PWCS Cafe Image

December’s Local Harvest of the Month is Spinach!  Here is the recipe for the Pomegranate Blueberry Spinach Salad that is served on the Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars throughout the division!

 pomegranate_blueberry_salad_recipe.png

 

Cafe Corner: November 2022

PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s November Local Harvest of the Month

November’s Local Harvest of the Month is Cabbage!  The Food and Nutrition Department features local farmers who grow the produce we serve on our menu on their Twitter and Instagram accounts. Follow @PWCSNutrition to learn more about the local foods being served to students! Here is the recipe for the Stir Fried Cabbage served in all schools!

 StirFriedCabbage

 

Cafe Corner: October 2022 

PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Local Harvest of the Month

Did you know your school cafeteria serves seasonal Virginia produce all year long? Incorporating local products into our menus gives students the opportunity to enjoy nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables, while learning about the seasonality of foods and how foods are grown. These products support local farms and are a tasty way to improve the health of our children!

Every month, the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department features a different Virginia-grown fruit or vegetable as the Local Harvest of the Month! Follow @PWCSNutrition on Twitter and Instagram to learn about their monthly Harvest of the Month, and the many local farmers who grow food for our menus! PWCS Food and Nutrition also shares a monthly recipe featuring one of their scratch made menu items and the Harvest of the Month! This month the feature is PWCS Nutrition’s scratch made Apple Crisp!

National School Lunch Week (October 11th -14th)

National School Lunch Week (NSLW) is October 11-14, 2022. This week gives the Food and Nutrition Department an opportunity to showcase the quality of our nutritious meals.

This year, the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department held a Pun Art Contest! Students across the division had the opportunity in September to come up with a pun featuring a food on our menu during NSLW. Classes competed to write a pun and create artwork illustrating their pun. One winning class will be chosen per school level (elementary, middle and high).

Winning class submissions will be announced and featured on the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Twitter and Instagram accounts throughout NSLW (October 11th – 14th). Their school will receive $1,000 toward a wellness-related purchase of their choosing (ex. bike rack, water bottle filler, school garden, etc.)!

What else is happening during National School Lunch Week, you ask? Locally grown foods will be served, and we encourage parents and other family members to come join us for lunch. Stop by the cafeteria and see for yourself what delicious, healthy choices are available to students every day!

PWCS Nutrition Meal Benefits, Menus and More!

Hiring Flyer

 

You Can Make a Difference for Hundreds of PWCS Students

The PWCS Food & Nutrition department is hiring! We would love for you to join our team!

Tired of working evenings and weekends? Want to be off for your student's school vacations and breaks? Looking for a job that truly has an impact on your community? Consider working for the PWCS Food & Nutrition Department!

PWCS Food & Nutrition is seeking applicants for all areas of the county. We strive to provide wholesome, enjoyable, high quality, nutritious meals to our students, so they can be ready to learn and take full advantage of the educational opportunities provided to them. The work we do is important, and the people who do it are inspiring. If these values are important to you too, come be part of our team!

Wonder what it's like to work in a school cafeteria? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN6A2bUHFDY&t=1s

The number of hours needed varies by school, anywhere from 3-6 hours a day. Most shifts fall between 9am and 3pm. Employees have all weekends, school holidays and snow days off. Most staff members work close to home, in their own neighborhood schools. Starting pay is $12.89 an hour. Opportunities for growth and advancement are available.

Ready to join us? Go to https://jobs.pwcs.edu/Jobs/, and choose "Classified - FOOD SERVICE" from the job type drop down menu. Click the job link you are interested in applying for, and then click "log in to apply." If you do not yet have an account, follow the "new user" instructions to create one. For help with the online application, contact Human Resources at 703-791-8050.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department at 703-791-7314. We look forward to hearing from you!
PWCS Nutrition - We serve the future

Cafe Corner: April 2023 

PWCS Nutrition’s Poetry Contest!

April is National Poetry Month, and PWCS Nutrition is celebrating with a Divisionwide Poetry Contest! Students have the opportunity to write a poem about school meals and record a video reading their poem aloud. To be considered for the contest, written poems AND the video recording need to be emailed to LeinewMJ@pwcs.edu by Friday, April 28th. One student will be selected per grade level (elementary, middle, and high school) as the winner of the PWCS Nutrition Poetry Contest! Winning students will receive an iPad, and their school will receive $1,000 toward a wellness-related purchase of their choosing. Winning students and schools will be announced in May, and the poems will be shared on the PWCS Nutrition’s Twitter and Instagram accounts. Follow @PWCSNutrition to learn more and see the winning poems!  Please email LeinewMJ@pwcs.edu if you have questions about the Poetry Contest!

 

April Harvest Of The Month

April’s Local Harvest of the Month is Lettuce! Here is the recipe for the Layered Lettuce Salad that is served on the Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars throughout the division!

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Cafe Corner: March 2023

 

National Nutrition Month: Eat The Rainbow!

March is National Nutrition Month, and we are celebrating the nutritional benefits of eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables! A colorful plate (and school lunch tray!) not only looks pretty, but it tastes delicious and is super good for your health, too!

Why do people say, “Eat The Rainbow!?” This is said because fruits and veggies contain specific phytonutrients that provide distinct COLORS, flavors, and health benefits! So which colors offer which phytonutrients, and what do they do for your body?! RED fruits and vegetables have lycopene and anthocyanins which help your organs and circulatory system stay healthy. ORANGE fruits and vegetables are rich in beta carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, and antioxidants. They help support your immune system and protect your body against cell damage. GREEN fruits and vegetables get their color from chlorophyll, which helps your body eliminate toxins. PURPLE fruits and vegetables contain anthocyanins as well as many other antioxidants that help your cholesterol and support brain health.

Learn more about the many colorful fruit and vegetable options PWCS Nutrition offers by following @PWCSNutrition on Twitter and Instagram. On Wednesdays, #EatTheRainbowWednesdays features our unlimited Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bar options!

March Harvest Of The Month

March’s Local Harvest of the Month is Kale! Here is the recipe for the Superfood Salad that is served on the Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars throughout the division!

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Cafe Corner: February 2023

 

Boost Learning Power with School Breakfast

You have probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but do you know why? We perform better, mentally and physically, when our bodies are fueled. In the morning, your body is starving for energy, even if you do not feel particularly hungry. Breakfast is especially important for kids because they are developing and growing.

Students who eat breakfast miss less school and get better grades. Yet 3 out of 4 teachers say their “students regularly come to school hungry.” Hungry kids are more likely to have health issues and trouble learning and concentrating. They are also more prone to behavioral and emotional problems. 

Looking for a convenient and affordable way to feed your student(s) breakfast during the week?
All Prince William County Public Schools serve breakfast every school day! Our “Grab n’ Go” breakfasts are designed to be nutritious and portable, so kids can enjoy a balanced breakfast in the classroom or cafeteria. Offerings vary each day and include items like hot breakfast sandwiches, breakfast breads, French toast sticks, cereal, fruit, 100% fruit juice and milk.

Students receiving free lunch also get school breakfast free of charge. A complete, full price breakfast costs just $1.50 a day, or $7.50 a week.

For more school breakfast fun, join us on Golden Ticket Breakfast Bag days! Once a month, students have the chance to win a prize when they find a Golden Ticket with their school breakfast! The date of the Golden Ticket Breakfast Bag day is posted in the cafeteria each month. In March, Golden Ticket Breakfast Bag day will be on March 7th during National School Breakfast Week, and there will be new special prizes!

Source: https://nkh-development-s3-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/HIOS_2017.pdf?_ga=2.265975119.1911221260.1574095362-1462249157.1571321568

 

February Local Harvest of The Month

February’s Local Harvest of the Month is Butternut Squash! You may have had butternut squash roasted or in a soup, but have you ever tried it on a salad?! We are serving a new salad recipe in February featuring butternut squash combined with kale, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds! Look for it on February 22nd at elementary schools, February 24th at middle schools, and February 17th at high schools!

 

Cafe Corner: January 2023

  

From Your Neighborhood Cows

Wednesday, January 11th is National Milk Day! You may have heard about the beautiful, locally grown fruit and vegetable choices served in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), but did you know the milk we serve is local too? That’s right! Our milk is supplied through Dairy Maid Dairy located in Frederick, Maryland just 50 miles from our county! Select a carton of milk with breakfast and lunch as part of a complete school meal or purchase it a la carte!

Milk provides students with the vitamin D, calcium, and protein they need to grow and build strong bones. It is recommended that children ages 4-8 consume 2.5 cups of dairy each day, while those between the ages of 9-18 should consume 3 cups of dairy every day. Choosing milk as part of a complete school breakfast and lunch allows students the opportunity to consume two of their daily dairy servings at school.

Elementary students who choose to have school breakfast on National Milk Day (Wednesday, January 11th) will receive a milk mustache sticker! Join us in celebrating local and nutrient-rich milk!

 

PWCS Milk Day

Cafe Corner: December 2022

 

Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars

Did you know the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department offers unlimited fruits and vegetables for school lunch? Students may fill up their school lunch trays with produce from our Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bar. They are available at every school on every lunch service line!

Self-serve increases the likelihood that students will try new fruits and vegetables. For example, they can try one celery stick instead of committing to an entire portion as one of their choices. When students try new fruits and vegetables, they incorporate greater variety into their diet, which ensures they get all the nutrition their body needs.

PWCS Cafe Image

December’s Local Harvest of the Month is Spinach!  Here is the recipe for the Pomegranate Blueberry Spinach Salad that is served on the Self-Serve Garden and Fruit Bars throughout the division!

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Cafe Corner: November 2022

PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s November Local Harvest of the Month

November’s Local Harvest of the Month is Cabbage!  The Food and Nutrition Department features local farmers who grow the produce we serve on our menu on their Twitter and Instagram accounts. Follow @PWCSNutrition to learn more about the local foods being served to students! Here is the recipe for the Stir Fried Cabbage served in all schools!

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Cafe Corner: October 2022 

PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Local Harvest of the Month

Did you know your school cafeteria serves seasonal Virginia produce all year long? Incorporating local products into our menus gives students the opportunity to enjoy nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables, while learning about the seasonality of foods and how foods are grown. These products support local farms and are a tasty way to improve the health of our children!

Every month, the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department features a different Virginia-grown fruit or vegetable as the Local Harvest of the Month! Follow @PWCSNutrition on Twitter and Instagram to learn about their monthly Harvest of the Month, and the many local farmers who grow food for our menus! PWCS Food and Nutrition also shares a monthly recipe featuring one of their scratch made menu items and the Harvest of the Month! This month the feature is PWCS Nutrition’s scratch made Apple Crisp!

National School Lunch Week (October 11th -14th)

National School Lunch Week (NSLW) is October 11-14, 2022. This week gives the Food and Nutrition Department an opportunity to showcase the quality of our nutritious meals.

This year, the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department held a Pun Art Contest! Students across the division had the opportunity in September to come up with a pun featuring a food on our menu during NSLW. Classes competed to write a pun and create artwork illustrating their pun. One winning class will be chosen per school level (elementary, middle and high).

Winning class submissions will be announced and featured on the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Twitter and Instagram accounts throughout NSLW (October 11th – 14th). Their school will receive $1,000 toward a wellness-related purchase of their choosing (ex. bike rack, water bottle filler, school garden, etc.)!

What else is happening during National School Lunch Week, you ask? Locally grown foods will be served, and we encourage parents and other family members to come join us for lunch. Stop by the cafeteria and see for yourself what delicious, healthy choices are available to students every day!

PWCS Nutrition Meal Benefits, Menus and More!

Hiring Flyer

 

You Can Make a Difference for Hundreds of PWCS Students

The PWCS Food & Nutrition department is hiring! We would love for you to join our team!

Tired of working evenings and weekends? Want to be off for your student's school vacations and breaks? Looking for a job that truly has an impact on your community? Consider working for the PWCS Food & Nutrition Department!

PWCS Food & Nutrition is seeking applicants for all areas of the county. We strive to provide wholesome, enjoyable, high quality, nutritious meals to our students, so they can be ready to learn and take full advantage of the educational opportunities provided to them. The work we do is important, and the people who do it are inspiring. If these values are important to you too, come be part of our team!

Wonder what it's like to work in a school cafeteria? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN6A2bUHFDY&t=1s

The number of hours needed varies by school, anywhere from 3-6 hours a day. Most shifts fall between 9am and 3pm. Employees have all weekends, school holidays and snow days off. Most staff members work close to home, in their own neighborhood schools. Starting pay is $12.89 an hour. Opportunities for growth and advancement are available.

Ready to join us? Go to https://jobs.pwcs.edu/Jobs/, and choose "Classified - FOOD SERVICE" from the job type drop down menu. Click the job link you are interested in applying for, and then click "log in to apply." If you do not yet have an account, follow the "new user" instructions to create one. For help with the online application, contact Human Resources at 703-791-8050.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department at 703-791-7314. We look forward to hearing from you!
PWCS Nutrition - We serve the future