By Ashley Hall
 
September 3, 2010
 
MEDFORD, Ore. - As kids get ready to go back to school, nutrition is a top concern for many parents, and cafeteria staff in Southern Oregon are also taking it very seriously.
 
Cafeteria workers at schools in Medford, Phoenix, Talent, Eagle Point and Rogue River are undergoing gourmet cooking training.
 
"We're making pizza with yogurt and fruit to be served at breakfast," said Delores Tesky, Executive Chef for School Services.
 
Chef Tesky, based in Salem, is showcasing several of the new recipes that will be served to students of all ages.
 
"If we can start it of early in the elementaries, and work it so it becomes a part of their everyday lunch, we think it'll make a difference in the long run," Tesky said.
 
In addition to a few new recipes, students will also notice the absence of many processed foods. For example, nacho cheese will no longer be served. Instead, there will be fresh grated low-fat options.
 
"Fresher, crisper items as opposed to something that's been already processed," Tesky said.
 
The staff is not only getting ready to do more cooking, they all also getting oriented to brand new kitchen facilities at several schools, including South and North Medford high schools.
 
"A brand new cafeteria that went with the brand new South (Medford High School), as a matter of fact. We also have a fully renovated kitchen at North Medford High School, so they haven't been left out," said Jeff Ashmun with Sodexo, which provides food service to a number of Southern Oregon school districts.
 
"We can offer hot and cold sandwiches made to order. And the centerpiece, really, is our creation station, where we have an induction cooker and saute pans, and we can make grilled sandwiches, stir fry, pasta to order, fajitas to order, something different every day," Ashmun said.
 
Anyway you slice it, Rogue Valley lunchrooms will be much different from what many parents remember from years past.
 
If you have any questions about nutritional value or meal ingredients, you can contact Sodexo through your child's school cafeteria.