Elementary Breakfast and Lunch Menus -January 2026
Middle School Breakfast and Lunch Menus - January 2026
January 2026 News Letters
Meet Our Sponsor
CCCS and Nutritional Development Services (NDS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have been partnering together for over 15 years to bring our scholars quality, nutritionally-balanced meals; wellness initiatives and grant programs. They are our sponsors for National School Breakfast and Lunch; Summer Meals, and After School Suppers.
To learn more about NDS, visit
nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org
Each month our elementary scholars get to sample several new fruits and vegetables thanks to being awarded the USDA’s annual Fresh Fruit and Vegetable (FFVP) grant. Our samples come from Smart Partners, a local group that facilitates wellness, nutrition and culinary education.
Explore FFVP and Smart Partnerships
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program | Food and Nutrition Service
The Golden Spatula Winner of the Month
This month’s Golden Spatula Spotlight is Neige Richardson. A part of the CCCS family for a little over a year, Neige has already made a comfortable place for herself in East A. With a warm smile and limitless patience, she wins over every child and adult she encounters in no time. While she has a quiet demeanor, what puts Neige in the spotlight is teamwork . . . she steps up without question and the words “that’s not my job” do not seem to exist in her vocabulary. When she is not working hard here, she is working hard at another job or spending quality time with friends and family.
Wellness+ Corner
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. For over 20 years now, Mental Health America, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) have been heavily promoting this month to educate and encourage people coming forward for help. Common mental health challenges include, but are not limited to depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Strategies for combatting and maintaining mental health do not always involve medication and facility stays. In fact, most providers will start with holistic approaches like therapy, yoga, and meditation.
To find out more about mental health and resources available, please visit one of the following links:
Mental Health America
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Mental Health Awareness Month | SAMHSA
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Whisking Up Creativity: Inspiring Cooking Projects with Middle-School Scholars
Step into the vibrant world of the Cooking Club, where Aston scholars unite every week in the CCCS “Smart from the Start” Afterschool program to dive into the art of cooking. Guided by the talented Food Service Director Veronique Young, these young chefs learn essential skills like knife techniques and kitchen safety while embarking on a culinary adventure with a new recipe. Each dish will center around one of three exciting themes: an exotic ingredient, a beloved kid-friendly meal with a nutritious twist, or a dish inspired by international or seasonal flavors. Every month, we’ll showcase one of the scholars’ top recipes for you and your family to try together.
Pineapple Cucumber Salsa
2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
1 cup chopped cucumber
¼ cup finely chopped red onion
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped (seeded and stems and ribs removed)
juice of 1 lime
dash of salt and pepper
-
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
-
Mix thoroughly.
-
Serve chilled.
Fresh Picks: Healthy Eating with Elementary Students
This month’s Fruit and Vegetable Fresh Pick is guava. Native to Central & South America and Mexico, there are over 150 varieties of guava with “apple” being the most popular U.S. variety. Apple guavas ripen from pale green to yellow but, other varieties can also have flesh that is white, pink or red. They will be smooth and glossy and should ripen at room temperature until slightly soft to the touch. Once ripe, they will stay optimal in the fridge for up to 4 days. Guavas are considered a superfruit because they have omega-3 rich seeds (although some varieties are seedless) and are high in antioxidants and Vitamin C.
Fun Fact Guava is best enjoyed fully ripe. Full of pectin, a fiber that thickens in liquid, guava is wonderful for purees, smoothies and sauces. For something a little different, be sure to try guava jam, cheesecake, or bbq sauce next time you come across them!