Latest news with #schoolfood
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Cafeteria worker accused of ordering lobster on Plymouth school account for his restaurant
The director of the Plymouth Public Schools cafeterias in Massachusetts is under arrest after he allegedly ordered expensive food, including lobster, and restaurant equipment through the school for his own restaurant on Cape Cod. According to prosecutors, an anonymous letter from a school employee was sent to the superintendent's office, saying 62-year-old Patrick VanCott was stealing school food and kitchen equipment for his business, the Snack Shack at Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable. VanCott was in charge of the cafeteria system for the entire district. Allegedly ordered lobster on school account Investigators said they spoke to cafeteria employees, who said they noticed irregular ordering of kitchen equipment and food that would not normally go to the school district. The food included lobster meat, premium Angus hamburgers and hot dogs, none of which are served to students. One cafeteria worker allegedly told police she had worked for the school for 16 years and had seen VanCott taking deli meats, premium food products and condiments ordered with the Plymouth School Department account from the building. Items allegedly found at his Cape Cod business Security video also allegedly caught VanCott taking a refrigerator unit from the school to Cape Cod. Prosecutors said items purchased by VanCott missing from the district include a freezer, oven, microwave and pans. Items linked to the school district were allegedly found at his business. The Snack Shack at Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, Massachusetts. CBS Boston VanCott was arraigned on Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to charges including larceny from a building and larceny over $1,200. "These charges are significant and he has just effectively destroyed the trust of the town and the taxpayers in the town of Plymouth who rely on the money that is earmarked for children in need of school breakfast and lunch to go towards that," said Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth O'Connell. "He has taken that and he has used it for his own personal gain." VanCott's attorney didn't argue the facts of the case in court but questioned the prosecutors' value of the items and a request for high cash bail. The judge ordered VanCott to be held on $50,000 cash bail, give up his passport and not go near Plymouth schools.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Halifax students learn about the importance of healthy food and fitness
Brent Mansfield couldn't have picked a better day to spend outside for a 'fun run.' The Vancouver-based teacher is an advocate for school lunch programs and is in Halifax as part of the 'Steps for School Food' campaign. 'The fun run came from the fact that I love to run, so it's something that I started doing with my own students,' said Mansfield. 'First I ran 200 laps around my elementary school back in October of 2023 to call on the federal government that had committed $200 million a year towards a national school food program.' Mansfield has combined his love of running with his passion for healthy meals and brought that message to students. Brent Mansfield Brent Mansfield spent the day running laps around Springvale Elementary School as part of the 'Steps for School Food' campaign Thursday, May 15, 2025. 'How do we take these great initiatives to get kids moving, get outside, connecting with nature, and how do we connect that to other aspects of healthy living and just supporting student wellness like school food programs,' he said. Mansfield works with the Coalition for Healthy School Food and has connected with Nourish Nova Scotia. 'There's so much evidence that tells us that when kids have access to nutritious foods, they learn better, attendance can be better,' said Nourish Nova Scotia executive director Aimee Gasparetto. 'Food is such a foundational component of the learning environment, and so when kids are able to access food, it makes them happier, it makes them stronger and really makes them able to engage in the school environment a lot better.' Springvale Elementary School was selected as the first stop on Manfield's tour because it already has a Kids Run Club. 'Kids are trying to build up their running stamina to feel more confident and happy in movement and healthy in their body. Gets them outside, but the idea is that they're becoming better runners but confident and stronger in themselves,' said Karen Christie, the Kids Run Club Coordinator with the Healthy Tomorrow Foundation. 'I think it's such a good basis for all other activities.' Mansfield said the 'Steps for School Food' campaign is all about how to build the best lunch programs. He said all 13 provinces and territories have now signed on to the National School Food Program. 'Nova Scotia is such a leader. How do we see that grow across Canada and how do we make sure that we're building in that student engagement and food literacy that is so vital to seeing these programs be successful,' he said. Next, Mansfield will head to Newfoundland and then Yukon to continue his mission. Students Grade 3 students at Springvale Elementary School participated in the 'Steps for School Food' campaign Thursday, May 15, 2025. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
