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Feeding Young Minds: Managing School Foodservice with Matt Davis | Episode 03
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In this episode of The Culinary 360 Podcast, join us, the Ignite Foodservice culinary team, and special guest Matt Davis, the Foodservice Director at Galesburg Unified School District in Illinois, as we talk school nutrition and the innovative strategies to enhance student dining experiences.
Discover what it is like to manage a large-scale foodservice operation in a school setting — from handling supply chain issues to implementing major kitchen remodels post-COVID. Gain insight into Matt's unique journey from aspiring English teacher to leading the culinary operations for thousands of students, and how he leverages his diverse background to drive positive change in school nutrition.
Welcome to The Culinary 360 Podcast, where we dive into the world of foodservice with Ignite Foodservice Solutions' team of expert chefs!
Chapters
1. Show Start (00:00:00)
2. Introducing guest: Matt Davis, Food Service Director Galesburg CUSD 205 (00:00:21)
3. Galesburg Community Unit School District #205 (00:01:11)
4. Student enrollment fluctuations and old school buildings (00:02:13)
5. Luke's personal Illinois background (00:03:09)
6. Matt Davis' culinary resume — from English to school cafeterias (00:03:42)
7. Retail foodservice at Hy-Vee Grocery Stores (00:04:44)
8. Path to foodservice without culinary school (00:06:14)
9. Taking the job as Food Service Director with Galesburg CUSD 205 (00:06:48)
10. Challenge of taking over during school kitchen remodel project (00:07:11)
11. Chef Robert's artistic talent on display in Galesburg (00:08:36)
12. Food Service Director's input during school cafeteria remodel (00:10:20)
13. Food service production, kitchens, and staffing within the district (00:12:22)
14. Turnover between school breakfast and school lunch programs (00:13:41)
15. Twenty minute lunch period (00:14:09)
16. Students as food critics (00:14:35)
17. Food school service supply challenges and cycle menus (00:15:13)
18. Food school service labor challenges after 2020 (00:17:41)
19. Food service consulting during school district kitchen remodel (00:19:27)
20. From cooking day-of to four days in advance (00:22:29)
21. Advanced cafeteria (and school coffee bar) (00:24:23)
22. Student culinary program (00:26:32)
23. Midwestern cycling, corn fields, and ultra marathon running (00:26:45)
24. Taste testing Midwestern corn (00:28:44)
25. USDA Farm to School Program — funding and planning (00:30:06)
26. Supporting local farms with school funding (00:32:37)
27. Networking and building relationships with chefs and farmers (00:33:26)
28. Pride in school food improvements (00:35:23)
29. Culinary bromance (00:36:01)
30. Conversation Takeaways (00:36:37)
31. Wrapping Up (00:38:18)
32. EoS (00:38:48)
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