Three years ago, Conscious Kitchen Founder and Executive Director Judi Shils had a simple but powerful idea: What if the best way to transform school food wasn’t another meeting or presentation, but simply bringing together the people who shape school food—from farmers and school nutrition professionals to chefs, producers, and distributors—to cook together? With that […]
From One Kitchen to a Statewide Movement Read More »
We carried more to Sweden than a presentation when we boarded the plane as finalists for the 2026 Food Planet Prize. Created by the Curt Bergfors Foundation, the Food Planet Prize is the world’s largest environmental award, recognizing innovations capable of transforming how the world produces, distributes, and consumes food. Drawn from more than 1,000
What We Brought Home From Sweden Read More »
In just a few days, members of the Conscious Kitchen team will board a plane to Sweden as finalists for the Food Planet Prize, one of the world’s largest awards recognizing innovative solutions to transform food systems. The Food Planet Prize selected four finalists from more than 1,000 organizations around the world. To be included
Sweden Bound: Carrying California’s School Food Movement to the World Stage Read More »
This spring, the Conscious Kitchen team spent two days connecting with farmers, food businesses, and organizations helping shape the future of our food system at Natural Products Expo West – the world’s largest trade show for natural and organic products. One thing was clear throughout the event: organic continues to be a growing point of
Takeaways from Expo West 2026 Read More »
When our founder and Executive Director Judi walked through a school lunch line in 2013 and picked up a small plastic bag of chemically preserved apples, she never imagined that moment would set off more than a decade of work that would one day be recognized on a global stage. And here we are. We
We’ve Been Named a Finalist for the World’s Largest Environmental Award Read More »
What began as a simple way to elevate breakfast, the build-your-own parfait bar became a clear demonstration of how impactful school food can be when fresh ingredients, thoughtful design, and strong partnerships come together. In the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, cafeterias at Lake Elementary and Pinole Valley High School in West Contra Costa
Every Parfait Deserves a Little Love Crunch Read More »
As students returned to school after winter break, West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) welcomed them back with something special: a fresh, fully organic school lunch and farmers market to foster community and connection as we start the new year. In January, Conscious Kitchen partnered with WCCUSD to host a farm-to-school organic lunch and
Starting 2026 Strong with an Organic Lunch & Farmers Market Read More »
For years, we’ve heard the same thing from school districts across California: We want to serve organic romaine lettuce, but we simply don’t have the labor to process it in-house. And they’re right. While whole-head romaine works beautifully in commercial kitchens and smaller programs, most school food operations don’t have the staff, time, or infrastructure
Chopped organic Romaine Lettuce: Building the Infrastructure for Organic School Meals Read More »
During the summer of 2025, Conscious Kitchen set out on the Organic Farm-to-School Road Tour to connect small and mid-sized organic farms with school districts across California. With a vision of providing every student in the state with fresh, local, and organic food, this initiative invites school food service leaders, farmers, and community partners to
Gathering at The Ecology Center: A Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Organic Growth Read More »
During the summer of 2025, Conscious Kitchen set out on the Organic Farm-to-School Road Tour to connect small and mid-sized organic farms with school districts across California. With a vision of providing every student in the state with fresh, local, and organic food, this initiative invites school food service leaders, farmers, and community partners to
South Coast Region: A Deep Dive into the Future of Organic School Meals Read More »
Organic School Meals Now a Reality at Alameda Unified School District! Have you ever wondered what kind of food our kids are eating every day at school? Too often, it’s highly processed, pre-made meals that lack the nutrition growing minds and bodies need. Now imagine a different world—one where every child has access to fresh,
A Win for Our Kids Read More »
During the summer of 2025, Conscious Kitchen set out on the Organic Farm-to-School Road Tour to connect small and mid-sized organic farms with school districts across California. With a vision of providing every student in the state with fresh, local, and organic food, this initiative invites school food service leaders, farmers, and community partners to
A Fresh Look at Farm-to-School: Our Visit to the Capay Valley Read More »
During the summer of 2025, Conscious Kitchen set out on the Organic Farm-to-School Road Tour to connect small and mid-sized organic farms with school districts across California. With a vision of providing every student in the state with fresh, local, and organic food, this initiative invites school food service leaders, farmers, and community partners to
A Day of Connection and Community: Central Coast Gathering at Paicines Ranch Read More »
During the summer of 2025, Conscious Kitchen set out on the Organic Farm-to-School Road Tour to connect small and mid-sized organic farms with school districts across California. With a vision of providing every student in the state with fresh, local, and organic food, this initiative invites school food service leaders, farmers, and community partners to
Kicking Off the Organic Farm-to-School Road Tour Read More »
Conscious Kitchen recently ventured to Southern California for our first-ever Fresh, Local, Organic Culinary Workshop in the region. Before the big day, we spent time on the ground, learning from the local organic farmers who make this work possible. Farm Visits and Local Insights We began our journey in Ventura County with a visit to
Groundwork and Growth Define Conscious Kitchen’s First Southern California Workshop Read More »
The momentum for organic school meals is building across California—and the energy is undeniable. At Conscious Kitchen, we’re proud to be part of this growing movement alongside visionary school leaders, dedicated organic farmers, passionate advocates, and strong partners like the California Department of Education (CDE) and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. We recently