About
What is Cooking for Kids?
At Cooking for Kids, we strive to ensure that schools and child care centers not only meet federal guidelines but also provide nutritious meals that children enjoy.
We offer affordable to no-cost professional training that will help you meet your goals.
Additionally, we provide recipes and other resources to teachers and parents so they can teach their children the importance of balanced nutrition.
Our Purpose
The Oklahoma State Department of Education, Child Nutrition and the Oklahoma State University Department of Nutritional Sciences have come together to run a culinary training program for child nutrition professionals called Cooking for Kids.
In the fall of 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented stricter standards for school lunch “meal patterns,” and in 2015, Congress amended the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act to include nutrition standards for “a la carte” lunch lines. Combined, these changes have caused complications for schools operating on a limited budget.
Cooking for Kids aims to change the landscape of school nutrition through chef-led culinary training for school nutrition professionals resulting in:
- Expanded public support for child nutrition programs meals
- Greater availability of freshly prepared foods
- Increased student participation in school meals
How We Help
Low- to No-Cost Culinary Training
We give child nutrition professionals the opportunity to cultivate their culinary skills with help from trained chefs.
Healthy Lunches on a Budget
We know you’re limited by budget – that’s why we help you find ways to feed your kids great food without breaking the bank.
Less Plate Waste
We teach you how to prepare food that delivers the nutrition kids need in a way they find appetizing.
Student Buy-In
We help you develop a marketing plan for your menu. Get kids on board with foods they’re unfamiliar with through tastings and social media pages.
Here for You
We teach you how to prepare food that delivers the nutrition kids need in a way they find appetizing.
Our Partners
We would like to thank our partners for their enthusiasm and willingness to participate, as well as our team members for their dedication.
Meet the people who help make it possible.
Meet the Team
Deana Hildebrand
Project Director
Cass Ring
Project Manager
Callie Fowler
Chef
Bill Harris
Chef
Ginger Lugo
Chef
Our chefs are here to help you with hands-on training in the kitchen. They’re not just trained culinary experts – they’re passionate about helping kids throughout Oklahoma eat right. You can request a chef consultation here.