CKC Good Food News

Many outside factors affect the operations and success of your food service program. Stay informed about the latest developments from CKC Good Food and the food service industry.

NSBW 2026 The Quest for School Breakfast

The Quest for School Breakfast

Breakfast matters and for National School Breakfast Week 2026, we are celebrating the food service professionals who provide students with nourishing food that sets the tone for the entire school day. With a full breakfast, they ready to start their daily quests and seize the day.

Team at Cologne Academy and STARS Early Learning Academy, Kelsey and Lily

Team Spotlight: Cologne Academy

This Team Spotlight features the dedicated duo supporting students at Cologne Academy and it's partner site, STARS Early Learning Academy. Operating out of the same kitchen with full onsite operations, Kelsey and Lily work side by side to fuel learners from pre-K through eight grade. Meet the team behind the meals!

Heart over Minnesota graphic. Message of support.

Message of Support from Our CEO

During this difficult time, CKC Good Food is standing with you and committed to upholding our values. Our CEO, Nancy Close, shares this message to our client partners and community.

Mix of dried beans

What’s On The Tray? Beans

Test your food knowledge with our pop quiz this January. Which bean is earthy, nutty, and a Minnesota-grown favorite?

Introducing Menu Freedom

Leading Menu Freedom to Scale

Big milestones call for the right people. With USDA approval in place and strong adoption already underway, CKC Good Food's sister company - Menu Freedom - is ready to scale. This next chapter is about growing impact, supporting more foodservice directors, and building on what’s already working. We’re excited to welcome Dan Rogers as part of the team leading that growth.

cold prep assembly

Investing in Our Leadership, Serving You Better

CKC Good Food partnered with Dr. Meg Cavalier for a Working Genius leadership workshop designed to strengthen team collaboration. By investing in our leadership, we’re improving how we work behind the scenes, so we can better support the clients we serve.

Lemon thyme chicken

Chef Naj’s Top Holiday Menu Picks

If you're planning a holiday event, Chef Naj makes it easy by sharing his top dishes from our catering menu for every type of gathering - breakfast, lunch, dinner, or casual nibbles. Let his expert picks guide your menu.

Team member showing tagger system spreadsheet for Cold Prep

Leading by Example: Our Successful MDE Administrative Review

CKC Good Food completes an MDE Administative Review every year, giving us the real-world experience to confidently guide our client partners through their own reviews. Get a behind-the-scenes look at our latest review, what’s evaluated, and the feedback that helps us keep ahead of of evolving regulations to better support our client partners.

breakfast menus for SY25-26

Choose Your Breakfast Menu

Did you know CKC Good Food offers multiple breakfast menu templates from which our client partners can choose? Each menu is filled with a variety of foods that have widespread appeal, particularly with young people.