Parents in Aiken County can mark lunchbox off the back to school shopping list. When school starts on July 25, every school in the District will offer delicious, chef-created breakfasts and lunches at no cost for every student each day that school is in session.

A growing number of schools in Aiken County have offered no cost breakfast and lunch to its students through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the last several years. The revamped program, featuring made-from-scratch recipes, executive chef-led trainings and student-approved menu options, is expected to transform the meaning of “school food” in Aiken County, and now with all schools classified as CEP, participation is expected to skyrocket.

Employees in the District’s School Food Service Department have embraced the extensive training this summer, learning enhanced safety, customer service and culinary skills. Presentation is key; Food Service professionals will be dressed in new uniforms, aprons, and hats provided by Chartwells as they prepare and serve new menu options as visually-appealing as they are tasty to students as their customers.

“Students will feel more like they are visiting a restaurant or café, than a school cafeteria,” explained Polly Peyinghaus, District Coordinator for School Food Service. Peyinghaus is new to the District as well and brings a unique passion for school nutrition and a work history of food service in education, as well as in restaurants. She is working hand-in-hand with Chartwells’ Resident District Manager Howard Grinberg to train and prepare to introduce new recipes, allow students to share their feedback, and implement other changes to enhance students’ mealtime experience.