Rural School Food Series: A Wash of Change at KQA
It's a move that will significantly enhance the school’s meal program while supporting environmental sustainability.
Currently, KQA serves breakfast and lunch to approximately 83% of its student population each day. However, meals are served on Styrofoam trays, generating a considerable amount of waste. The school has been offered reusable trays and silverware, but without a dishwasher, the transition to a more sustainable model is unattainable. The introduction of a commercial dishwasher will not only reduce waste but also allow the school to increase its scratch cooking.
Enhancing Meal Quality Through Efficiency
“Our food service provider, Sodexo, is committed to offering fresh fruits, vegetables to ensure students receive nutritious and flavorful options,” said Linda Spreitzer, principal of KQA. Currently however, “Staff are having to handwash all of the items used in our food preparation. Having a dishwasher would allow them the opportunity to increase their scratch cooking and fresh food preparation because the time spent washing dishes would significantly be reduced.
This initiative is part of a larger wellness effort that recently earned KQA the Alliance for a Healthier Generation award. This prestigious recognition underscores the school’s comprehensive approach to fostering student and staff well-being.
KQA focused on several key areas for the award, including: Implementing Local School Wellness Policy; Bolstering Physical Education and Activity; and Cultivating Staff Well-Being.
Fostering a Culture of Wellness
Through the guidance of its dedicated Wellness Committee, KQA has introduced movement breaks into the school day and incorporated interactive learning tools such as The Walking Classroom, in which students listen to educational podcasts while walking. These initiatives promote active learning and encourage students to integrate movement into their daily routines.
But the commitment to wellness extends beyond students, fostering a positive and supportive environment for staff as well. “There has been a united commitment from all staff to support new initiatives,” Spreitzer noted. They host book studies, crafting afternoons and fun events like ‘What’s Up Wednesdays,’ for which staff secretly coordinate a themed outfit to see if students can spot the trend.
“We have enjoyed getting to know each other better and building positive connections across the building,” shares Spreitzer. “We also implemented a fun staff sports game time during our teacher work days, so we get to play as well!”
KQA also prioritizes community engagement in wellness initiatives. The school hosts an annual Wellness Night, featuring health, fitness, and activity presenters who introduce families to new opportunities for a healthier lifestyle.
The success of these initiatives is rooted in the dedication of KQA’s Wellness Team, composed of staff, parents, and community members. “This team has been instrumental in not only forming and refining our wellness plan, but also planning proactive and innovative steps to create a healthier school community,” says Spreitzer.
As KQA continues to innovate and invest in student health, the addition of a commercial dishwasher is just one of many steps toward a more sustainable, nutritious, and wellness-focused future.
Knowledge Quest Academy is one of twelve charter schools participating in the League's Rural School Food Project (RSFP). Funded by a grant from The Colorado Trust, the project strives to increase access to nutritious and affordable food at rural charter schools across the western slope and northern Colorado.
