Train for a new career — and get paid to do it

This is a two-stage training program. The first stage is free, online learning, where you’ll earn valuable professional credentials. After completing stage one, and depending on district need, you’ll be invited to stage two, where you’ll receive four weeks of part-time training that pays $18 per hour. While it’s not a full-time job, it can help you land one. You’ll build useful culinary skills and gain experience that school food employers are looking for.

The program’s two-stage process is designed to set participants up for success. In stage one, participants will complete a two-week online module at their own pace and at no cost. You’ll build the foundational knowledge you need to succeed in school kitchens. Upon completion of stage one, you’ll earn your ServSafe® Food Handler Certification and a School Food 101 certification from the Chef Ann Foundation’s School Food Institute that can help you land a job in food service.

After completing stage one, and depending on local districts’ needs, you’ll receive an invitation to stage two — four weeks of paid, hands-on training in a local K-12 kitchen. Work schedules will vary, with flexible hours Monday-Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. You’ll receive personalized support from the Healthy School Food Pathway team every step of the way.

No experience is required — just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn! If you’ve taken culinary classes, worked in a restaurant, or helped prepare meals at home, that experience can be helpful.

Yes! This program is a great fit for college students, especially those studying culinary arts, health, or education, who want real-world experience. Many students complete the program while still in school, sometimes fulfilling internship requirements or even earning college credit, depending on their institution.

There’s no cost to join the program. In some cases, participants may need to arrange for background checks or health screenings; the program will reimburse these costs.

In stage one, participants take one self-paced class online through the Chef Ann Foundation’s School Food Institute platform to learn more about school food history, regulations, policies, and funding. You’ll also earn your ServSafe® Food Handler Certification online to gain the skills you need to confidently work in a school kitchen.

In stage two, participants take two online School Food Institute courses: Ingredients for Healthier Kids and Recipes & Menu Development. You’ll also participate in two virtual learning sessions with your fellow Pre-Apprenticeship cohort, and discuss topics such as the importance of scratch cooking in schools and strategies for incorporating local and sustainable sourcing into school food.

There are no fees associated with the coursework.

Pre-Apprentices complete their hands-on training locally at one of our 60+ partner school districts across California.

Participants complete approximately 6.5 hours of online learning in stage one, on their own schedule over a two-week period. In stage two, participants complete 15 hours of hands-on training per week, along with approximately 3 hours of online learning per week, over four weeks.

Graduates earn a certificate of completion from the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and are encouraged to apply for the paid, 9-month Healthy School Food Pathway Apprenticeship program to continue building their careers.

The Chef Ann Foundation is the nation’s champion for real food in schools. We help
schools replace ultraprocessed foods with fresh, healthy, and delicious meals cooked from scratch that protect kids and the planet.

The Chef Ann Foundation launched the Healthy School Food Pathway program in 2022 to support aspiring, beginner, and experienced school food professionals as they build the skills needed to start and manage successful K–12 scratch-cooking programs.