On this episode of After the Bell, Matthew Kubiak, Savannah Chatham County Public School System’s menu development, marketing, and promotions manager, to discuss how school nutrition supports student success and how the district is reimagining cafeteria food.

Kubiak shares his path from fine dining and executive chef roles to school nutrition, inspired by his kindergarten-teacher wife and a desire to improve how meals are cooked and received by students. They highlight free meals through the Community Eligibility Program, efforts to reduce stigma, increased participation, and a focus on appealing, nutritious menus featuring local items (including grass-fed burgers and Georgia shrimp), multicultural dishes, and student feedback via taste tests and surveys.

The conversation also covers school gardens supplying produce, improved presentation and tray logistics, literacy signage in serving lines, award-winning student recipes adapted to USDA guidelines, and new leadership under Dr. Rebecca Larson.

QUICK LINKS:

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Literacy is Our North Star

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Meet the Production Team behind "After the Bell"

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome to After the Bell

00:37 Meet Matthew Kubiak

01:43 From Fine Dining to Schools

03:17 Chef Favorites and Fun

04:01 Free Meals and CEP Impact

05:50 Local Sourcing and Farm Grants

06:51 Surprise Hits Like Carrot Souffle

09:55 Presentation and Cafeteria Experience

12:24 School Gardens and Taste Tests

14:39 Student Chefs and Awards

16:11 Whats Next for Nutrition

17:10 Feedback Food Shows and Events

21:04 Wrap Up and District Outro