Dates & Times:
- Introductory VIRTUAL Forum: Saturday, March 11 (12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
- Introductory IN-PERSON Forum: Friday, March 24 (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Clovis Institute of Technology—Clovis, CA
- Introductory IN-PERSON Forum: Saturday, April 1 (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Natomas Unified School District Nutrition Services—Sacramento, CA
- Advanced IN-PERSON Forum: Friday, March 10 (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Institute of Culinary Education—Pasadena, CA
- Advanced VIRTUAL Forum: Saturday, March 11 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
- Advanced IN-PERSON Forum: Saturday, March 25 (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Clovis Institute of Technology—Clovis, CA
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is offering six Meal Quality (MQ) Forums in 2023. The forums highlight ways to enhance the nutrition environment of early child care programs through improved food preparation and service using the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal patterns for children.
The forums cover healthy meal planning, food purchasing, food preparation, culinary skills, recipe development, and kitchen safety. Participants will learn culinary techniques for creating healthy meals and will also receive a toolkit with resources they can immediately use in child care centers and homes.
There are two types of forums:
- Introductory Forums are intended for newer cooks developing their culinary, menu planning, and meal service skills. There will be two in-person introductory forums and one virtual introductory forum.
- Advanced Forums are intended for experienced cooks with more advanced culinary, menu planning, and meal service skills. Participants are not required to complete the Introductory MQ Forum to register for the Advanced MQ Forum. There will be two in-person advanced forums and one virtual advanced forum.
Download the flyer for additional information, including agendas and session descriptions.
Cost
The cost to attend an in-person forum is $35 and includes a morning snack and lunch.
The virtual forums are free to attend.
All forum participants will receive a Certificate of Completion and a tote bag filled with sample menus, recipes, a chef’s knife, and other resources.
Space is limited to the first 30 registrants.
Registration
Register at the links below.
Introductory Forums
MQ Introductory VIRTUAL Forum: Saturday, March 11 (12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Advanced Forums
MQ Advanced VIRTUAL Forum: Saturday, March 11 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Contact
For help with registration or information regarding the forum program agenda, the Zoom platform (for virtual training sessions), sending a replacement or canceling, please contact Maria Lazaro by email at childcareforums@wested.org or by phone at 805-465-4464 or 800-770-6339.