Published: October 10, 2006

'California Connected' Dishes Up Home-Cooked Meals in Berkeley Schools

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Berkeley School Lunch

California Connected follows Ann Cooper, Director of Food Services for Berkeley Schools, who is setting an unprecedented example for school districts by bringing home-cooked meals back to the cafeteria.

After cooking for rock stars, celebrities and even Hilary Clinton, Cooper decided kids needed healthier fare and set out to conquer America's lunch programs one school at a time. While most school districts purchase pre-made, frozen school meals from mega-processors, Cooper starts her day before dawn, cooking and packaging home-made meals at a time when one-fourth of California's children are considered overweight.

However, serving healthy foods is an expensive order. Berkeley's home-cooked program costs the district an added $250,000 a year. Many districts across the state would have trouble adopting such a plan due to limited budgets and overpopulated schools.

Tune in this week to see behind-the-counter of one revolutionary program ensuring that school children get a healthy lunch.

Please Check Local Listings for show times, October 13

California Connected is an award-winning, news magazine produced through a unique collaboration of four PBS stations: KCET-Los Angeles, KPBS-San Diego, KQED-San Francisco and KVIE-Sacramento.

www.californiaconnected.org
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alan@newsblaze.com