“We are required to adhere to the nutrition requirements in the USDA Meal Pattern. Although our model is very different from most schools, the Department of Education has been very supportive and interested in what we are doing. They may even eventually use ANCS as a model for other schools.”
Chef David BradleyA Word from Chef Bradley
“In 2014, I was working as the chef of Lure Restaurant in Midtown. It was engaging work, but in the back of my mind, I’d been having doubts about the long-term feasibility of being a chef and being a dad at the same time. When I heard through the grapevine that a charter school, which happened to be right across the street from my house, was looking for a chef, my initial thought was, “Thanks, but no thanks.” But I thought it was worth at least talking to the administrators about it, and every conversation we had was really interesting.
I was particularly excited about the opportunity to start from scratch and develop my own recipes and systems. Everything about it would be built from the ground up. I also liked the vision that Matt Underwood, Executive Director, and Kari Lovell, Director of Business and Operations had for the program. They were committed to supporting local foods and had big dreams for a school garden. So in 2014, I joined the staff of the Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School as its Chef and Nutrition Director.”
Excerpt from “Hungry Like the Wolves”
ANCS is proud to serve healthy, delicious meals using locally-sourced food to our students, teachers, and visitors.
We provide children the needed access to healthful foods in order to grow, learn, and thrive. We believe that good health fosters student attendance, a student’s ability to learn effectively and to achieve high standards in school. ANCS is committed to providing school environments that promote and protect children’s health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating. We prepare the meals we serve to our school from scratch whenever possible, and we source many of our ingredients from local sources, including our own school farm. Students have the opportunity to be involved in our meal program, from tending to the farm to planning recipes to working in the kitchen at each campus.
Our school’s commitment to sustainable living and healthy eating led us to establish a farm-to-school program several years ago. Our goal? To forge a vital link between the fresh, nutritious food served in our cafeteria and the very plants that flourish in our soil. This initiative included integrating gardening into the elementary curriculum and providing middle campus students with opportunities to cultivate their own food. In September 2021, we took this commitment a step further by establishing our school farm.
Boasting over 100 5′ X 10′ raised beds sprawled across both campuses, along with a greenhouse and storage shed, our farm is a testament to our dedication to environmental stewardship. With state-of-the-art irrigation systems in place, we ensure optimal growing conditions year-round. Moreover, our program seamlessly integrates into classroom curriculums at both campuses, enriching students’ educational experiences while fostering a deeper appreciation for agriculture and sustainability.
One of the program’s crowning achievements is its ability to supply our culinary program with an abundance of fresh produce. Through hard work and dedication, our students contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future while gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the process. Our School Farm isn’t just about growing food; it’s about cultivating knowledge, fostering connection, and nurturing a brighter tomorrow.
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