We know good food can be a powerful force for change, especially when it reaches young people. That’s why we’re thrilled to be part of the growing movement to transform school food across California through our partnership with Conscious Kitchen (CK). One district leading the way is Albany Unified School District (AUSD), making a bold shift toward healthier, more equitable school meals. Together, they’re moving beyond processed norms to embrace scratch-cooked, local, and organic options.

Thanks to CK’s support and AUSD’s leadership, students now enjoy 100% organic fruits and vegetables. What once seemed like a lofty ideal has become a replicable reality, and we are proud to be able to bring fruit from our orchard to the AUSD menu!

We recently chatted with Darrell Valor, AUSD’s Senior Culinary Manager, whose reflections on this journey gave us even more hope for what’s possible when schools and farms work hand-in-hand.

Laying the Foundation for Change

The story begins in 2023, when Darrell attended a CK event while immersing himself in school food regulations. Eager to learn, he saw it as a chance to understand what was possible and connect with others working to reimagine school meals.

At the same time, AUSD’s Executive Chef, Sabina, had a vision for scratch cooking but faced the challenge of executing it alone. When Darrell joined, their shared ambition began taking shape. With CK's guidance, that vision gained structure and traction!

Overcoming Challenges

Changing school food isn’t just about ingredients, it’s about building new systems. AUSD faced hurdles, especially in supply chain logistics. Longstanding vendor relationships and resistance to change made sourcing local and organic food a daunting task.

That’s where Conscious Kitchen stepped in. With farm-direct delivery, vendor introductions, and hands-on support, they helped AUSD build a new, values-aligned supply chain. “Judi [CK’s founder] said, ‘I’ve got your back, I won’t let you fail,’ and she meant it,” Darrell shares. “They didn’t just provide connections, they acted as an extension of our team. That’s the power of CK.”

Darrell describes the partnership with three words: community, continual support, and thought partnership. “When things go sideways, CK is my first call,” he says, whether it’s troubleshooting vendors or brainstorming new ideas.

Nourishing Kids, Empowering Staff

So what does school food look like today in AUSD? For one, the fruit baskets have changed. Gone are the repetitive apples and oranges that would often end up in the trash. Now, kids are offered a colorful spread of up to ten different seasonal fruits, including some of our Frog Hollow stone fruit. “We need to nourish our children to provide them with enough energy to learn,” Darrell says. “What are we doing if we don’t try to feed our students the best possible food sources?” Now, kids don’t have to be coaxed into taking fruit. The challenge is making sure they don’t take too much!

Organic medjool dates even sparked a moment of cultural exchange in the lunch line—when a curious student asked what they were, another student stepped in to explain. “It was a beautiful moment of peer-to-peer learning,” Darrell says. “When we diversify the menu, we create opportunities for connection.”

This transformation has also profoundly impacted the food service team, sparking a shift in morale. Staff began taking pride in the meals they prepared; they were excited to taste it, to serve it, to talk about it. And students responded with gratitude, creating a powerful loop of mutual appreciation.

Darrell put it best: “When staff see the food being well-received, it inspires them to get more creative. You get into this cycle of who inspires who first?”

Looking Ahead

Looking forward, AUSD is hungry for more. They’re working toward a 100% scratch-cooked model, which comes with its own challenges. But they’re not deterred. Their menu continues to evolve, with more globally inspired dishes to reflect the district’s diverse student body. They’re investing in deeper staff training to improve efficiency and elevate the cooking experience across the board. The goal is to feed children and also teach a generation what’s possible when care and creativity drive the food system.

Darrell gives advice to other districts who are looking to make the switch towards organic, scratch-cooked meals: “Everything takes time and effort, but the intrinsic satisfaction you get from supporting kids for the right reasons is unmatched.” He adds, “You are the ‘they.’” This is a reminder that real change starts when people are willing to step up and be the difference they want to see in their school districts.

Cultivating the Future Through Collaboration

At Frog Hollow Farm, we see firsthand how powerful partnerships like this can be. What’s happening in the Albany Unified School District proves that when farms, nonprofits, and schools come together with a shared mission, the possibilities are endless.

The journey isn’t easy. But it’s real, it’s impactful, and this is only the beginning.

The same fruit that’s inspiring kids at AUSD is ripe and ready for your table.

Explore our seasonal selection of fruit grown with the same intention and integrity we bring to every school partnership.